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THE LIFE 



CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



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O, 'tis a burden, Cromwell, 'tis a burden, 
Too heavy for a man that hopes for heaven. 

Shakspeare. 



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(ft a r H n a I W 1 s t j. 



GEORGE CAVENDISH, 



HIS GENTLEMAN USHER, 




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LONDON: RIVINGTONS. 

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LONDON : 

gilbert & rivington, printers, 
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PREFACE. 



George Cavendish, the Author of this Life of Wolsey, was 
fifth in descent from Sir John Cavendish, lord chief justice of 
the King's Bench in the latter part of the reign of Edward III., 
who had acquired the manor of Cavendish Overhall, in Suffolk, 
by his marriage with Alice, daughter and heir of John de 
Odyngseles. The chief justice was beheaded by the rebels, in 
an insurrection in 1382. His descendant, George Cavendish, 
who inherited the manor of Cavendish Overhall, appears not 
to have increased his fortune whilst in the service of Cardinal 
Wolsey. He left two sons 1 ; of whom the elder, William, de- 
scribed as "of London, mercer," sold the manor of Cavendish 
Overhall to William Downes, Esq., in 1569 : the younger son, 
Ralph, had a son, William, who was baptized at Cavendish, 

in 1612. 

But although the elder branch of the family of Cavendish 

1 Mr. Hunter has shewn that he married Margery Kemp, daughter of 
William Kemp, by Mary Colt, a sister of Sir Thomas More's first wife. 

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vi PREFACE. 



became thus obscured, if not altogether extinct, a younger 
branch of the same house rose rapidly to wealth, to rank, and 
to power. George Cavendish's younger brother, Sir William 
Cavendish 2 , married, for his third wife, Elizabeth of Hardwick, 
widow of Alexander Barley of Barley. By tins lady, who mar- 
ried thirdly Sir William St. Loe, and afterwards George, earl 
of Shrewsbury, Sir William Cavendish had a numerous family, 
whose descendants have filled, and still fill the highest rank in 
our nobility. One of Sir William Cavendish's daughters, Eliza- 
beth, married Charles Stuart, earl of Lennox, brother of the 
unfortunate Darnley. The issue of that marriage was Lady 
Arabella Stuart, who was thus at once first cousin to James I. 
and granddaughter to Sir William Cavendish. Her influence 
procured the honour of the peerage for her uncle, William 
Cavendish (second son to Sir William Cavendish), created Lord 
Cavendish in 1605, and Earl of Devonshire in 1 618. Sir Charles 
Cavendish of Welbeck (third son of Sir William Cavendish), 
was the father of the loyal Duke of Newcastle. Sir William's 
eldest son, Sir Henry Cavendish, left a natural son, from whom 
descend the Lords Waterpark of Ireland. Sir William Ca- 
vendish's other daughters, by Elizabeth of Hardwick, were 
Frances, wife of Sir Henry Pierrepont, ancestor of the Dukes 
of Kingston, and Mary, wife of Gilbert, earl of Shrewsbury. 

2 To whom this Life of Wolsey has been often erroneously given. 

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PREFACE. vii 

In the following u Advertisement," the late Dr. Wordsworth 
has accurately and succinctly enumerated the various editions of 
George Cavendish's work. The " Ecclesiastical Biography," in 
which the Life of Wolsey, with the " Advertisement," was con- 
tained, appeared in 1810, and to Dr. Wordsworth, therefore, is 
unquestionably due the merit of first giving the work to the 
public in a correct form. A second edition was published in 
1818. In 1825, Mr. S. W. Singer published an edition of the 
Life of Wolsey, containing most of Dr. Wordsworth's notes, 
and some of his own. In 1839, Dr. Wordsworth published a 
third edition of the "Ecclesiastical Biography," and from a 
fourth edition of the same work the Life of Wolsey is now 
reprinted in a separate form. For the numerous additional 
notes to the third and fourth editions the present Editor is 
responsible. 

JOHN HOLMES. 

British Museum, 
30th January, 1852. 



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ADVERTISEMENT. 



The following life was written by the cardinal's gentleman usher, 
Cavendish ; whose Christian name in the superscription to some 
of the manuscript copies is George, but by bishop Kennet, in his 
Memoirs of the family of Cavendish ; by Collins, in his Peerage ; 
and by Dr. Birch (No. 4233, Ayscough's Catalogue, Brit. Mu- 
seum) he is called William 1 . The work was known only by 
manuscripts, and by the large extracts from it, inserted by John 
Stowe in his Annals, from the reign of Q. Mary in which it was 
composed, until the year 1 641 ; at which time a book was printed 
in a thin quarto, intitled, " The Negotiations of Thomas Woolsey, 
the great Cardinal, containing his Life and Death" &c. But 
surely no publication was ever more unfaithful to the manuscript, 
from which it professed to be taken ; the editor^ whosoever he 
was, being every way unqualified for his undertaking. The lan- 

1 Called William.'] In a tract, published in the year 1814, entitled "Who 
wrote Cavendish's Life of Wolsey ?" and written by the Rev. Joseph Hunter, 
F.S.A., author of the " History of Hallamshire," &c. &c., it is shown, very 
satisfactorily, that George, elder brother of William, was the author. 

a 

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guage he has thought fit to alter, almost in every sentence, 

without the guidance of any principle, but the gratification of 

his own tasteless caprice. Omissions he has made of many of the 

most interesting and valuable portions of the volume, amounting 

in extent to at least one third part of the whole ; and through 

ignorance, and inability even to read the manuscript which was 

before him, he has left a multitude of passages in the text utterly 

absurd and unintelligible. Yet the piece, even with all these 

disadvantages, has been so much a favourite with the public, that 

it has been reprinted twice, in the years 1667 and 1706 (besides 

being inserted in the Harleian Miscellany, and in the Selection 

from that work), and is still a book of not very frequent occur- 

/ 
rence. / 

The Lambeth Library supplying two manuscript copies of this 
life, the editor obtained permission from his grace the archbishop 
of Canterbury, to make use of them for the present collection. 
The first of these (No. 179) is very fairly and accurately written, 
and appears from a subscription at the end, bearing date a.d. 
1598, to have belonged to John Stowe, the antiquarian; and 
afterwards to Sir Peter Manwood : both whose names are auto- 
graphs. In the title of this copy, the work is ascribed to 
George Cavendish. The other MS. (No. 250) is also a correct 
and valuable one, but wants a few leaves. 

Stowe's manuscript was made the groundwork of the present 
edition. That being first transcribed, the copy was collated with 

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the MS. No. 250, the readings of which were adopted, where 
they seemed to be deserving of preference. In one or two places 
the editor availed himself of the readings given by Stowe in his 
Annals : and in a few others, he followed a MS. of this life, for- 
merly belonging to Dr. Tobias Matthew, archbishop of York, 
now in the library of the dean and chapter of that cathedral ; the 
use of which was very generously conceded to the editor, by that 
venerable body, through the intervention of his grace the arch- 
bishop of Canterbury. A deficiency in one passage was supplied 
by a MS. (No. 4233, Ayscough's Catalogue) in the British 
Museum : for the discovery of which the editor begs to return 
his thanks to Mr. Ellis and Mr. Douce, librarians there : as he 
does to the latter gentleman for the very liberal offer of the free 
use of another valuable MS. of this same life, in his own 
possession 2 . 

2 Now [1852] in the Bodleian Library at Oxford, to which Mr. Douce 
bequeathed the whole of his valuable books and MSS. 

Lambeth, 
November, 1809. 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



THE PROLOGUE. 

Me-seems it were no wisdome to credit every light tale, blasted 
abroade by the blasphemous mouthe of rude commonalty. For 
we dayly heare how with their blasphemous trumpe, they spread 
abroad innumerable lies, without either shame or honesty, which 
prima facie sheweth forthe a visage of truthe, as though it were 
a perfect verity and matter indeede, whereas there is nothing 
more untrue. And amongst the wise sorte so it is esteemed, 
with whom those bablings be of small force and effect. 

For sooth I have reade the exclamations of divers worthy and 
notable authors, made against suche false rumours and fonde 
opinions of the fantasticall commonalty, whoe delighteth in 
nothing more than to heare strange things, and to see newe alte- 
rations of authorities ; rejoicing sometimes in such newe fanta- 
sies, which afterwardes give them more occasion of repentance 
than of joyfulness. Thus may all men of wisdome and discretion 
understand the temerous l madness of the rude commonalty, and 
not give to them too hasty credit of every sodeine rumour, untill 
the truth be perfectly knowne by the reporte of some approved 

1 Temerous.'] Rash; temerarious. 

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2 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

and credible person, that ought to have thereof true intelligence. 
I have hearde and also seene set forthe in diverse printed books 
some untrue imaginations, after the deathe of diverse persons 
which in their life were of great estimation, that were invented 
rather to bring their honest names into infamy and perpetuall 
slaunder of the common multitude, than otherwise. 

The occasion therefore that maketh me to rehearse all these 
things is this ; for as much as I intend, God willing, to write 
here some parte of the proceedings of Cardinal Wolsey, the 
archbishop, his ascending unto honour's estate 2 , and sodeine 

2 Ascending unto honour's estate.'] It may be well to give the several dates 
of Wolsey' s career : — 
1471. Born. 

1483 ? Entered Oxford. 

1486 ? B. A. 

148- ? Fellow of Magdalen. 

1500. Oct. 10. Parson of Lymington. 

1505. Chaplain to Henry VII. 

1506. Rector of Redgrave. 

1507. Envoy to Maximilian. 

1508. Feb. 2. Dean of Lincoln. 

1509. Almoner to Henry VIII. 
1 5 1 Rector of Torrington. 
Canon of Windsor, and Registrar of the order of the Garter. 

1511. Preben dary of York. 

1512. Dean of York. 
Abbot of St. Alban's, in commendam. 

1513. Bishop of Tournay (in 1518 he agreed to receive from Francis, 
as compensation for the loss of this, a pension of 12000 fr.). 

1514. Feb. 6. Bishop of Lincoln. 
Aug. 5. Archbishop of York. 

1515. Cardinal. 
Dec. I. Lord Chancellor. (He took the oaths on the 24th.) 

1516. Legate de latere. 
1518. Aug. 28. Bishop of Bath, in com. 
1521. July29. — Dec. 1. Ambassador to Charles V. [1523. 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 3 

falling againe from the same ; whereof some parte shall be of 
myne own knowledge, and some parte of credible persons infor- 
mation. 

Forsothe this cardinall was my lorde and master, whome in his 
life I served, and so remained with him, after his fall, continually, 
duringe the time of all his trouble, untill he died, as well in the 
Southe as in the Northe parts, and noted all his demeanor and 
usage in all that time ; as also in his wealthy triumphe and glo- 
rious estate. And since his death I have hearde diverse sondry 
surmises and imagined tales, made of his procedings and doings, 
which I myself have perfectly knowen to be most untrue : unto 
the which I would have sufficiently answered accordinge to truthe, 
but as me seemed then it was much better for mee to dissemble 
the matter, and to suffer the same to remaine still as lies, than 
to reply against their untruth, of whome I might, for my bold- 
ness, sooner have kindled a great flame of displeasure, than to 
quench one spark of their untrue reportes. \Therefore I com- 
mitted the truth of the matter to the knowledge of God, who 
knoweth the truth in all things. For, whatsoever any man hath 
conceived in him while he lived, or since his deathe, thus much I 
dare be bold to say, withoute displeasure to any person, or of 
affection, that in my judgement I never saw this realme in better 
obedience and quiet, than it was in the time of his authority and 
rule, ne justice better ministered 3 with indifferency ; as I could 

1523. Apr. 30. Bishop of Durham, in com. 

1527. July 3. — Sept. 30. Ambassador to Francis I. 

1529- Apr. 6. Bishop of Winchester, in com. 

Confessed to Praemunire. 

1530. Nov. 29. Died at Leicester. 

3 Better ministered."] Hence Fuller says beautifully, and very aptly and 
sagaciously : " I hear no widows' sighs, nor see orphans' tears in our chro- 

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4 CARDINAL WOLSEY, 

evidently prove, if I should not be accused of too much affection, 
or else that I set forth more than truth. I will therefore leave 
to speak any more thereof, and make here an end, and procede 
further to his original! beginning and ascending with fortunes 
favor to high honours, dignities, promotions, and riches. 



Truthe it is that this cardinall Wolsey was an honest poore 
man's sonne 4 , of Ipswiche in the county of Suffolk, and there 
borne ; and being but a child, was very apt to be learned ; where- 
fore by the means of his parents, or of his good friends, and 
masters, he was conveied to the university of Oxonford, where he 
shortly prospered so in learning, as he told me by his owne 
mouthe, he was made Bacheller of Arts, when he past not fifteen 
yeares of age, in so much that for the rareness of his age, he was 
called most commonly, through the university, the Boy Bacheller. 
Thus prosperinge and increasinge in learning, he was made 
fellow of Magdalen College, and after elected and appointed to 
be schoole master of Magdalen schoole ; at which time the lord 
Marquiss Dorset 5 had three of his sons there to schoole, com- 

nicles, caused by him. Sure in such cases wherein his private ends made 
him not a party, he was an excellent justicer : as being too proud to be 
bribed, and too strong to be overborn." Fuller's Holy and Profane Stale, 
p. 242. 

4 Poore man's sonne.] He was born in the year 1471. See Fiddes's Life 
of Wolsey, p. 2. edit. 2. a.d. 1726. 

5 Marquiss Dorset.'] Sir Thomas Grey, eldest son of the Queen of Edward 
IV., was created Earl of Huntingdon by his royal stepfather in 1471, and 
Marquess of Dorset in 1475. He had seven sons, of whom the first two, 
Edward and Anthony, died young, Thomas (afterwards second Marquess of 
Dorset, grandfather of Lady Jane Grey), John, Richard, Leonard (afterwards 

6 6 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



mitting as well unto him their education, as their instruction and 
learning. It pleased the said Lord Marquiss against a Christmas 
season, to send as well for the school master as for the children, 
home to his house, for their recreation in that pleasant and 
honorable feast. They being then there, my lord their father 
perceived them to be right well emploied in learning, for their 
time : which contented him so well, that he having a benefice 6 
in his gift, being at that present voide, gave the same to the 
school master, in reward of his diligence, at his departing after 
Christmas to the university. And having the presentation 
thereof he repaired to the ordinary for his institution, and induc- 
tion ; and being furnished there of all his ordinary instruments 
at the ordinarys handes, for his preferment, he made speed 
without any farther delay to the said benefice to take thereof 
possession. And being there for that intent, one Sir Amyas 
Pawlet, knight, dwelling in the country thereaboute 7 , tooke occa- 
sion of displeasure against him, upon what ground I knowe not : 
but, Sir by your leave, he was so bolde to set the schoole master 
by the feet duringe his pleasure ; which after was neither for- 
gotten nor forgiven. For when the schoole master mounted the 
dignity to be chancellor of England, he was not oblivious of his 
old displeasure cruelly ministered upon him by Mr. Pawlet 8 , but 



Viscount Garney of Ireland and Lord Deputy of that kingdom : beheaded in 
1541), and George. 

6 Having a benefice.'] The place was Lymington, now Limington, near 
Ilchester in Somersetshire, and in the diocese of Bath and Wells. He was 
instituted October 10, a.d. 1500. Fiddes's Life, p. 5. 

7 Country thereaboute. .] At Hinton St. George, still the seat of Sir A. Paw- 
lett's lineal descendant Earl Poulett. 

8 Mr. Pawlet.'] Meaning " Sir Amyas Pawlet, knight," just before men- 
tioned. It was not at that time an invariable custom to speak of knights 



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6 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



sent for him, and after many sharpe and heinous wordes, en- 
joyned him to attend untill he were dismissed, and not to departe 
out of London, withoute lycence obtained : soe that he continued 
there within the Middle Temple, the space of five or six yeares ; 
whoe laye then in the gate house next the streete, which he 
reedified very sumptuously, garnishing the same, all over the out- 
side, with the cardinally arms, with his hat, with the cognisaunce 
and badges, and other devises, in so glorious a sorte, that he 
thought thereby to have appeased his old displeasure. 

Nowe may this be a good example and precedent to men in 
authority, which will sometimes worke their will without witt, to 
remember in their authority, howe authority may decay; and 
those whome they doe punishe of will more than of justice, may 
after be advaunced to high honors, and dignities, in the common 
weale, and they based as lowe, who will then seeke the meanes 
to be revenged of such wronges which they suffered before. 
Who would have thought then when sir Amyas Pawlett punished 
this poore scholler the schoole master, that ever he should have 
mounted to so highe dignity as to be chauncellor of England, 
considering his baseness in every degree ? These be wonderful and 
secret workes of God, and chaunces of fortune. Therefore I 
would wishe all men in authority and dignity to knowe and feare 
God in all their triumphs and glory ; considering in all their 



with the prefix Sir. Thus Cavendish, who at one time speaks of " Sir Wil- 
liam Fitzwilliams, a knight," and " Sir Walter Walche, knight," afterwards 
speaks of them as Master Fitzwilliams, Master Walche. He mentions " that 
worshipful knight Master Kingston" and Master Shelley, Mr. Empson, 
Mr. Norris, Mr. Fitzwilliams, meaning Sir William Shelley, Sir Richard 
Empson, Sir Henry Norris, and Sir William Fitzwilliams. It must be 
remembered also that Sir was very often applied to ecclesiastics. 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 7 

doings, that authority be not permanent, but may slide and 
vanish, as princes pleasures alter and change 9 . 

Then as all living things must of very necessity paye the dewe 
debt of nature, which no earthly creature can resist, it chaunced 
my said lord marquiss to depart out of this present life '. After 
whose death this schole master, then considering with himself to 
be but a simple beneficed man, and to have loste his fellowship in 
the college (for, as I understand, if a fellow of that house be once 
promoted to a benefice he shall by the rules of the same be dis- 
missed of his fellowship), and perceiving himself also to be desti- 
tute of his singular good lord, and also of his fellowship, which 
was much of his reliefe, thought not to be long unprovided of 
some other helpe, or mastershippe, to defend him from all such 
stormes as he lightly was vexed with. 

In this his travaill thereabout, he fell in acquaintance with one 
sir John Nanphant 2 , a very grave and auncient knight, who had a 
great rome in Calais under king Henry the seventh. This knight 
he served, and behaved himself so discreetly, and wittily, that he 
obtained the especial favor of his said master ; insomuch that for 
his wit and gravity, he committed all the charge of his office 
unto his chapleine. And, as I understand, the office was the 

9 Alter and change."] It may be worth remarking here, that Sir A. Paulet's 
nephew, William Paulet, rose to be Lord High Treasurer of England and 
Marquis of Winchester, and, by the attainder of the Duke of Norfolk, in 
1572, he became, for a time, premier peer of England. Sir Amyas Paulet's 
own lineal descendant is the present Earl Poulett. 

1 This present life.'] In 1501. 

2 Sir John Nanphant.] Probably a mistake for Sir Richard Nanfan of Birts- 
morton, in Worcestershire, who on the 21 Sept. 1485, was made hereditary 
sheriff of Worcestershire, which office, however, he held only two years, re- 
turning to the wars. He was captain of Calais and esquire of the body 
to Henry VII. The family became extinct in 1704. 

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treasureship of Calais, who was in consideration of his great age, 
discharged of his chargeable rooine, and returned again into 
England, intending to live more at quiet. And through his 
instant labor and good favor his chapleine was promoted to be 
the king's chapleine. — And when he had once cast anker in 
the porte of promotion 3 , howe he wrought, I shall somewhat 
declare. 

He, having then a just occasion to be in the sight of the kinge 
dayly, by reason he attended upon him, and saide masse before his 
grace in his closet, that done he spent not the rest of the day 
forthe in idleness, but would attend upon those whome he thought 
to beare most rule in the counsaille, and to be most in favor with 
the kinge ; the which at that time were doctor Fox 4 , bishop of 

3 The porte of promotion. .] We may presume that it was to such a son of 
fortune as the Cardinal, that the lively description in the following narrative 
was designed to be applied : 

" It is a common saying among us your Highnesses poore commones, that 
one of your Highnesses chappellanes, not many yeres sinse, used when he 
lusted to ryde abrode for his repaste, to carye with him a scrowle wherin 
were written the names of the paryshes whereof he was parson. As it for- 
tuned, in hys jorney he espied a churche standyng pleasantlye upon an hyll, 
pleasantlye beset with greenes and plaine fleldes, the fane greene medowse 
lyinge bynethe by the banckes of a christalline ryver, garnished wyth wyl- 
lowse, poplers, palme trees and alders, moste beautifull to beholde. Thys 
vigilant pastore, taken wyth the syght of this terrestrial paradise, sayde unto 
a servaunt of hys (the clercke of hys sygnet no doubt it was, for he used to 
beare hys masters ryng in his mouthe), John, sayde he, yonder beniflce 
standeth verie pleasantlye, I woulde it were myne. The servant answered, 
Why, syr, quod he, it is youre owne benifice, and named the paryshe. Is it 
so, quod your chapellane : and wyth that he pulled oute hys scrowle to see 
for certantye, whether it were so, or not. — See, most dread soveraigne, what 
care they take for the flocke : when they see theyr paryshe churches they 
knowe them not by the situation." A Supplication of the poor Commons, 
signat. b. 5. addressed to king Henry VIII. 12mo. black letter, no date. 

4 Doctor Fox.~] Richard Fox, translated from Durham in 1500. 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 9 



Winchester, secretary and lord privy seal, and also sir Thomas 
Lovell 5 knighte, a very sage counsellor, a witty man, being master 
of the wardes, and constable of the Tower. 

These auncient and grave counselors in process of time per- 
ceiving this chapleine to have a very fine wit, and what was in 
his head, thought him a meett and apt person to be preferred to 
witty affaires. 
(it chaunced at a certain season 6 that the kinge had an urgent 

5 Sir Thomas Lovell.'] Sir Thomas Lovell, fifth son of Sir Ralph Lovell of 
Barton Bendish in Norfolk, was treasurer of the household to Henry VII. 
by whom he was knighted at the battle of Stoke in 1487, and also made 
K.G., and executor of his will. Soon after Henry VIII.'s accession, Lovell 
was made master of the wards, and constable of the Tower. His influence 
and wealth were great. He inherited in right of his wife, the sister of Lord 
Roos, the manor of Worcester in Enfield, and he purchased East Herling in 
Norfolk from Sir Henry Bedingfield of Oxburgh. He died s. p. in 1524. 
As constable of the Tower he was succeeded by Sir William Kingston. 

6 A certain season.] In the autumn of 1507. The embassy, or rather mes- 
sage, from Richmond to Flanders and back again to Richmond occupied 80 
hours. It related to the proposed double connexion between Henry VII. 
and Maximilian. In the beginning of 1506 Philip {le Beau) and his wife 
Juana (la folle) had been nearly wrecked on the English coast, and during 
their stay at the English court, Henry VII. proposed to marry Philip's 
sister, Margaret of Austria, whose second husband, Philibert, duke of Savoy, 
had died in Sept. 1504. The terms of a treaty were settled on the 20th of 
March, and further measures were proposed in May, when John Yonge, and 
Nicholas West (afterwards bishop of Durham) were commissioned to treat. 
Philip however died on the 10th of September. In the following year 
another marriage was proposed between Charles (afterwards Charles V.), 
Philip's son, and Mary, the daughter of Henry. On this joint business 
Wolsey was now sent by Henry to Maximilian, and his performance of it 
was so satisfactory, that in October he was sent again to Maximilian, with long 
instructions, the originals of which, signed by Henry, are still extant. His 
journey this time was not so rapid as the former; he wrote on the 22nd of 
October to Henry from Mechlin, and on the 7th of November Henry ac- 
knowledged his letter, and sent him, from Greenwich, further instructions. 



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10 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

occasion to send an ambassador unto the emperor Maximillian, 
who lay at that present in the lowe countrey of Flaunders, not 
far from Oalaise. The bishop of Winchester and sir Thomas 
Lovell, whom the kinge most esteemed, as chiefe of his counseile, 
(the kinge one day counselling and debating with them upon this 
embassage,) sawe they had no we a convenient occasion to prefer 
the kinge's chapleene, whose excellent witt, eloquence, and learn- 
ing they highly comended to the kinge. The kinge giving eare 
unto them, and being a prince of an excellent judgement and 
modesty, comanded them to bring his chapleine, whom they so 
much comended, before his grace's presence. And to prove the 
wit of his chapleine he fell in communication with him in great 
matters : and, perceiving his wit to be very fine, thought him 
sufficient to be put in trust with this embassage ; commanding 
him thereupon to prepare himself to his journey, and for his 
depeche, to repaire to his grace and his counsell, of whom he 
should receive his commission and instructions. By means whereof 
he had then a due occasion to repaire from time to time into the 
kinge's presence, who perceived him more and more to be a very 
wise man, and of a good intendment. And having his depeche, 
he tooke his leave of the kinge at Richmond about none, and so 
came to London about foure of the clocke, where the barge of 
Gravesend was ready to launch forthe, both with a prosperous 
tide and winde. Without any further aboade he entered the 
barge, and so passed forthe. His happie speede was such that 
he arrived at Gravesend within little more than three hours ; 
where he tarried no longer than his post horses were provided ; 

(Cott. MS. Galba B. II. ff. 128—31 .) Wolsey's second embassy has hitherto 
escaped notice. On the 17th of December, Charles and Mary (by proxy) 
were solemnly betrothed at Calais. 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 11 

and travelled so speedily with post horses, that he came to 
Dover the next morning, whereas the passengers 7 were ready 
under saile to saile to Calaise. Into the which passengers with- 
out tarrying he entered, and sailed forth with them, so that long 
before noone, he arrived at Calaise ; and having post horses in a 
readiness departed from thence, without tarrying. And he made 
such hasty speede, that he was that night with the emperor. 
And he having understanding of the coming of the kinge of 
England's ambassador, would in no wise delay the time, but sent 
for him incontinent (for his affection to kinge Henry the seventh 
was such, that he was glad when he had any occasion to shewe 
him pleasure). The embassador disclosed the whole summe of 
his embassage unto the emperor, of whom he required spedy 
expedition, the which was graunted him, by the emperor ; so 
that the next day he was clearly dispatched, with all the kinges 
requests fully accomplished and graunted. At which time he 
made no further delay or tariaunce, but tooke post horses that 
night, and rode incontinent towarde Calais againe, conducted 
thither with such persons as the emperor had appointed. And 
at the opening of the gates of Calaise, he came thither, where 
the passengers were as ready to retourne into Englande as they 
were before at his journey forewarde ; insomuch that he arrived 
at Dover by tenne or eleven of the clocke before noone ; and 
having post horses in a readiness, came to the court at Richmond 
that same night. Where he taking some rest untill the morning, 
repaired to the kinge at his first coming out of his bed chamber, 
to his closet to masse. VVPiom (when he saw) he checked him 
for that he was not on his journey. " Sir," quoth he, " if it may 

7 Passengers.'] Passenger-boats. 
c 2 

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please your highness, I have already been with the emperor, and 
depeched youre affaires, I trust with your graced cementation." 
And with that he presented the kinge his letters of credence 
from the emperor. The kinge, being in great confuse and wonder 
of his hasty speede and retourne with such furniture of all his 
proceedings, dissimuled all his wonder and imagination in the 
matter, and demanded of him, whether he encountered not his 
pursevant, the which he sente unto him (supposing him not to be 
scantly out of London) with letters concerning a very necessary 
matter, neglected in their consultation, the which the king much 
desired to have dispatched among the other matters of ambassade. 
" Yes forsoothe," quoth he, " I met him yesterday by the way : 
and having no understanding by your graces letters of your 
pleasure, notwithstanding I have been so boulde, upon mine own 
discretion (perceiving that matter to be very necessary in that 
behalf) to dispatch the same. And for as much as I have exceeded 
your graces commission, I most humbly require your graces 
remission and pardon." The kinge rejoicing inwardly not a 
little, saide againe, " We do not only pardon you thereof, but 
also give you our owne princely thanks bothe for your pro- 
ceedings therein, and also for your good and speedy exploit," 
commanding him for that time to take his rest, and to repaire 
againe to him after dinner, for the farther relation of his ambas- 
sage. The kinge then went to masse ; and after at convenient 
time he went to dinner. 

It is not to be doubted but that this ambassador hath in all 
this time bene with his great friends, the bishop and sir Thomas 
Lovell, to whome he hath declared the effect of all his speede ; 
nor yet what joye they have received thereof. And after his 
departure from the kinge, his highness sent for the bishop of 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



13 



Winchester, and for sir Thomas Lovell ; to whom he declared 
the wonderful expedition of his ambassador, commending there- 
with his excellent witt, and in especiall the invention and avauncing 
of the matter lefte out in their consultation and the ambassador's 
commission. The kinges wordes rejoiced not a little these worthy 
counsaillors, for as much as he was of their preferment. 

VThen when this ambassador remembered the kings command- 
ment, and sawe the time drawe fast on of his repaire before the 
kinge, and his counsaile, he prepared him in a readinesse, and 
resorted unto the place assigned by the kinge, to declare his 
ambassage. Without all doubt he reported the effect of all his 
affaires and proceedings so exactly, with such gravity and elo- 
quence 8 , that all the counsaile that heard him could doe no less 
but commend him, esteeming his expedition to be almost beyond 
the capacity of man. The kinge of his mere motion, and gracious 
consideration, gave him at that time for his diligent service, the 
deanery of Lincolne 1 , which was at that time one of the worthiest 
promotions, that he gave under the degree of a bishopricke. And 
thus from thenceforth he grewe more and more into estimation 
and authority, and after was promoted by the kinge to be his 
almoner. iHere may all men note the chaunces of fortune, that^ 
folio wethe some whome she intendeth to promote, and to some 
her favour is cleane contrary, though they travaille never so I 
much, with all the painfull diligence that they can devise or 
imagine: whereof, for my part, I have tasted of the expe- 



rience 



8 Eloquence.'] See note at p. 19. 

1 Deanery of Lincolne.'] He was collated Feb. 2. a.d. 1508. Le Neve's 
Fasti, p. 146. 

2 Experience.] Cavendish's rewards for his services appear to have been 



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Now you shall understande that all this tale that I have 
declared of the good expedition of the king's ambassadour, I had 
of the reporte of his owne mouthe, after his fall, lying at that 
time in the great parke at Richrnonde 3 , he being then my lord and 
master, and I his poore servant and gentleman usher, taking then 
an occasion upon diverse communications, to tell me this journey, 
with all the circumstances, as I have here before declared. 

When deathe (that favoureth none estate, king nekeiser 4 ) had 
taken the wise and sage kinge Henry the seventh out of this 
present life 5 (on whose soule Jesu have mercy!) who for his 
wisdome was called the second Solomon, it was wonder to see 
what practices and compasses was then used about young kinge 
Henry the eighth, and the great provision made for the funerales 
of the one, and the costly devices for the coronation of the other, 
with the new queene, queene Catherine, and mother afterwards of 
the queenes highness, that now is, (whose virtuous life and godly 
disposition Jesu long preserve, and continue against the malignity 
of her corrupt enemies ;) — But I omit and leave all the circum- 
stances of this solemn triumphe unto such as take upon them to 



limited to the six cart horses, the cart, and the thirty pounds mentioned at 
the end of this life. 

3 At Richmonde.~\ Therefore between Feb. 2 and April 3, 1530. 

4 King ne keiser."] Perhaps Cavendish alludes to the lines in Longlande's 
Vision of Pierce Ploughman, written about 1350. 

" Death came driving after and al to dust pashed 
Kings and Kaisars, Knights and Popes." 
Before Cavendish wrote there had been also numerous editions of the Dance 
of Macabre, in the Horce of the Paris printers and elsewhere, and the cele- 
brated designs of the Dance of Death attributed to Holbein had been 
engraved and printed at Lyons in 1538. Of all these there were numerous 
copies. 

5 Present life.'] April 21, 1509. 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 15 

write the stories of princes in chronicles, which is no parte of my 
intendment. 

After the finishing of all these solemnizations and costly 
triumphes, our naturalle young and lusty courageous prince and 
sovereigne lorde kinge Henry the eighth entering into the flower 
of lusty youth 6 , took upon him the regal scepter and the imperiall 



6 Flower of lusty youth.~\ The following character is from the pen of William 
Thomas, clerk of the Privy Council in the reign of king Edward the Sixth : 

" To come unto a conclusion of oure kynge, whose wisdome, vertue, and 
bountye, my wittes suffiseth not to declare. One, of personage, he was one 
of the godlyest men that lyved in his tyme, verye highe of stature, in maner 
more then a man, and prQporcioned in all his membres unto that height ; of 
countenance he was most amiable ; curteous and beninge in gesture unto all 
persons, and specyally unto straungers ; seldome or never offended with any 
thinge, and of so constaunt a nature in hymselfe, that I beleve there be few 
can say that ever he chaunged his chere for any noveltie, how contrary or 
sodayne so ever it were. Prudent he was in counsell, and farre castyng; 
most liberall in rewardyng his faithfull servauntes, and ever unto his ennemies 
as it behoveth a prince to be. He was learned in all sciences, and had the 
gyft of many tongues. He was a perfect theologien, a good philosopher, and 
a stronge man of arms, a jueller, a perfect buylder, as well of fortresses as of 
pleasaunt palacyes, and from one to another, there was no kynde of necessary 
knowledge, from a kynges degre to a carters, butt that he had an honest 
sight in it. — What wold you I should say of hym ? He was undoubtedly the 
rarest man that lyved in his tyme. Butt I say not this to make hym a god ; 
nor in all his doynges I wyll not saye he hath bene a saynte ; for I beleve 
with the prophet, that non est Justus quisquam, non est requirens Deum; omnes 
declinaverunt, simul inutiles facti sumus, non est qui facit bonum, non est usque 
ad unum. I wyll confesse that he dyd many evil thinges, as the publican 
synner, butt not as a cruel tyraunt, or as a pharisaicall hypocrite ; for all his 
doynges were open unto the whole world, wherein he governed hymselfe with 
so much reason, prudence, courage and circumspection, that I wote not where, 
in all the histories I have red, to fynde one private kynge equall unto hym, 
who in the space of 38 yeres reigne, never receyved notable displeasure. 
However that at one selfe tyme, he hath had open warre on three sydes, not 
onely hath he lyved most happely, butt also hath quietly died in the armes of 

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diadem of this fertile and fruitful realme, which at that time 
flourished in all aboundance and riches (whereof the king 
was inestimably furnished), called then the golden world, such 
grace reigned then within this realme. Now the almoner (of 
whome I have taken upon me to write) having a head full of 
subtile wit, perceiving a plaine pathe to walk in towards his 
journey to promotion, handled himself so politickly, that he 
found the meanes to be made one of the kings counsaille, 
and to growe in favour and good estimation with the kinge, to 
whome the kinge gave an house at Bridewell in Fleet-street, 
sometime sir Richard Empson's 7 , where he kept house for 
his family, and so daily attended upon the kinge, and in his 
especiall favour, having great sute made unto him, as counsaillors 
in favour most commonly have. His sentences and witty per- 
suasions amongst the counsaillors in the counsaile chamber, 
were alwaies so pithy, that they, as occasion moved them, con- 
tinually assigned him for his filed tongue and excellent eloquence 
to be the expositor unto the kinge in all their proceedings. In 
whome the kinge conceived such a loving fansy, and in especiall 
for that he was most earnest and readiest in all the counsaile to 



his dearest frendes, leavyng for wytnesse of his most glorious fame, the fruite 
of such an heyre, as the erth is scarcely worthy to nourish, who I trust shall 
with no lesse perfection perfaurme the true church of Christ, not permitted 
by his sayde father to be finished, then as Solomon dyd the Temple of Hieru- 
salem, not graunted to David in the tyme of hys life. For, who wolde speke 
agaynst the deade ? Kynge Henry myght much better say, he dyd se butt 
with one eye, and so accuse hym for lack of puttyng an end unto the refor- 
macion of the wycked church, then for doyng of the thinges that he hath 
done agaynst the apostolicall romayne sea." pp. 122 — 5. ed. 1774. 

7 Sir Richard Empson's.'] Who had been attainted with Dudley, and by 
whose attainder, soon after Henry's accession, it had been forfeited to the 
crown. 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 17 



avaunce the king's only will 8 and pleasure, having no respect to 
the cause ; the king therefore, perceiving him to be a mete in- 
strument for the accomplishing of his devised pleasures, called 
him more neare unto him, and esteemed him so highly, that the 
estimation and favour of him put all other auncient counsaillors 
out of high favour, that they before were in ; insomuch that the 
king committed all his will unto his disposition and order. Who 
wrought so all his matters, that his endeavour was alwaies only 
to satisfy the kings pleasure, knowing right well, that it was the 
very vaine and right course to bring him to high promotion. 
The kinge was young and lusty, and disposed all to pleasure, and 
to followe his princely appetite and desire, nothing minding to 
travell in the affaires of this realme. Which the almoner perceiv- 
ing very well, tooke upon him therefore to discharge the king of 
the burthen of so weighty and troublesome busines, putting the 
kinge in comforte that he should not neede to spare any time of 
his pleasure, for any business that should happen in the coun- 
saile, as long as he, being there and having his graces authority, 
and by his commandment, doubted not so to see all things well 
and sufficiently perfected ; making his grace privy first of all 
such matters before, or he would proceede to the accomplishing of 
the same, whose minde and pleasure he would have, and followe 
to the uttermost of his power ; wherewith the kinge was wonder- 
fully pleased. And whereas the other auncient counsaillors 
would, according to the office of good counsaillors, diverse times 
persuade the kinge to have some time a recourse unto the coun- 
saile, there to heare what was done in weighty matters, the which 

8 King's only will.'] The best comment on this passage are Wolsey's memo- 
rable last words, " But if I had served God," &c. See the end of this life. 

D 

6 6 



pleased the kinge nothing at all, for he loved nothing worse than 
to be constrained to doe any thing contrary to his pleasure ; that 
knew the almoner very well, having a secret intelligence of the 
kings naturall inclination, and so fast as the other counsaillors 
counselled the kinge to leave his pleasure, and to attend to his 
affaires, so busily did the almoner persuade him to the contrary ; 
which delighted him very much, and caused him to have the 
greater affection and love to the almoner. (Thus the almoner 
ruled all them that before ruled him ; such was his policy 
and witt, and so he brought things to pass, that who was now in 
high favour, but Mr. Almoner? who had all the sute but Mr. 
Almoner? and who ruled all under the king, but Mr. Almoner 9 ? 
Thus he persevered still in favour, untill at the last, in came 
presents, gifts, and rewardes so plentifully, that I dare say he 
lacked nothing that might either please his fantasy or enrich his 
coffers ; fortune smiled so favourably upon him. But to what 
end she brought him, ye shall heare hereafter. Therefore let no 
man to whome fortune extendeth her grace, trust overmuch to 
her subtell favour and pleasant promises, under colour wherof 
she carrieth venemous galle. (For when she seeth her servaunt) 
in most high authority, and that he most assureth himselfe of' 
her favour, then sodaynelye turneth she her visage and pleasaunt 
countenaunce unto a frowning cheere, and utterly forsake th him : 
such assuraunce is in her inconstant favour and promise. rHer 
deceipt hath not bine hid among the wise sorte of famous clerks, 



9 Mr. Almoner.'] Even queen Katharine could prefer a suit to Henry 
through his means : " I pray you, Mr. Almoner, excuse me to the king for 
the taryeng of it soo long, for I coude have it noe sooner." See several letters 
from her to Wolsey, during Henry's absence in France in July and August, 
1513, printed in Ellis's Original Letters, first ser. vol. i. p, 78 — 91. 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 19 



that have exclaimed and written vehemently against her dissimu- 
lation and feined favour, warninge all men thereby, the lesse to 
regarde her, and to have her in small estimation of any trust of 
faithfullnesse. 

s This almoner, clyming thus hastily upon fortunes wheeles, and 
so far mounting, that no man was of that estimation with the 
kinge, as he was, for his wisdome and other witty qualities, had 
a speciall gifte of naturall eloquence 1 , and a filed tongue to 

1 Speciall gifte of naturall eloquence.] Sir Thomas More, in his Dialogue of 
Comfort against Tribulation, has drawn so lively and characteristic a picture, 
designed, no doubt, to represent the cardinal at the head of his own table, 
that, though the extract is long, the reader, I think, will not be displeased 
with its insertion. The title of the chapter is, Of Flattery. 

"Anthony. I praye you, cosyn, tell on. Vincent. Whan I was fyrste in 
Almaine, uncle, it happed me to be somewhat favoured with a great manne 
of the churche, and a great state, one of the greatest in all that country there. 
And in dede whosoever might spende as muche as hee mighte in one thinge 
and other, were a ryght great estate in anye countrey of Christendom. But 
glorious was hee verye farre above all measure, and that was great pitie, for 
it dyd harme, and made him abuse many great gyftes that God hadde geven 
him. Never was he saciate of hearinge his owne prayse. 

" So happed it one daye, that he had in a great audience made an oracion 
in a certayne matter, wherein he liked himselfe so well, that at his diner he 
sat, him thought, on thornes, tyll he might here how they that sat with hym 
at his borde, woulde commend it. And when hee had sitte musing a while, 
devysing, as I thought after, uppon some pretty proper waye to bring it in 
withal, at the laste, for lacke of a better, lest he should have letted the matter 
too long, he brought it even blontly forth, and asked us al that satte at his 
bordes end (for at his owne messe in the middes there sat but himself alone) 
howe well we lyked his oracyon that he hadde made that daye. But in fayth 
Uncle, whan that probleme was once proponed, till it was full answered, no 
manne (I wene) eate one morsell of meate more. Every manne was fallen in 
so depe a studye, for the fyndynge of some exquisite prayse. For he that 
shoulde have brought oute but a vulgare and a common commendacion, 
woulde have thoughte himself shamed for ever. Than sayde we our sentences 
by rowe as wee sat, from the lowest unto the hyghest in good order, as it had 

n 2 
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pronounce the same, that he was able with the same to per- 
suade and allure all men to his purpose. Proceding thus in fortunes 

bene a great matter of the comon weale, in a right solemne counsayle. 
Whan it came to my parte, I wyll not saye it, Uncle, for no boaste, mee 
thoughte, by oure Ladye, for my parte, I quytte my selfe metelye wel. And 
I lyked my selfe the better beecause mee thoughte my wordes beeinge but a 
straungyer, wente yet with some grace in the almain tong wherein lettyng my 
latin alone me listed to shewe my cunnyng, and I hoped to be lyked the 
better, because I sawe that he that sate next mee. and should saie his sen- 
tence after mee, was an unlearned Prieste, for he could speake no latin at all. 
But whan he came furth for hys part with my Lordes commendation, the 
wyly Fox, hadde be so well accustomed in courte with the crafte of flattry 
that he went beyonde me to farre. 

" And that might I see by hym, what excellence a right meane witte may 
come to in one crafte, that in al his whole life studyeth and busyeth his witte 
about no mo but that one. But I made after a solempne vowe unto my selfe, 
that if ever he and I were matched together at that boarde agayne : whan we 
should fall to our fiattrye, I would flatter in latin, that he should not con- 
tende with me no more. For though I could be contente to be out runne by 
an horse, yet would I no more abyde it to be out runne by an asse. But 
Uncle, here beganne nowe the game, he that sate hygheste, and was to speake, 
was a greate beneficed man, and not a Doctour onely, but also somewhat 
learned in dede in the lawes of the Churche. A worlde it was to see howe he 
. marked every mannes worde that spake before him. And it semed that every 
worde the more proper it was, the worse he liked it, for the cumbrance that 
he had to study out a better to passe it. The manne even swette with the 
laboure, so that he was faine in the while now and than to wipe his face. 
Howbeit in conclusion whan it came to his course, we that had spoken before 
him, hadde so taken up al among us before, that we hadde not lefte hym one 
wyse worde to speake after. 

" Anthony. Alas good manne ! amonge so manye of you, some good felow 
shold have lente hym one. Vincent. It needed not as happe was Uncle. For 
he found out such a shift, that in his flatteryng he passed us all the mayny. 
Anthony. Why, what sayde he Cosyn ? Vincent. By our Ladye Uncle not 
one worde. But lyke as I trow Plinius telleth, that whan Appelles the 
paynter in the table that he paynted of the sacryfyce and the death of 
Iphigenia, hadde in the makynge of the sorrowefull countenances of the other 
noble menne of Greece that beehelde it, spente out so much of his craft and hys 

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blisfulnes, it chaunced the warres between the realmes of Eng- 
land and Fraunce to be open, but upon what ground or occasion 
I knowe not, insomuch as the kinge, being fully persuaded, and 
earnestly resolved, in his most royall person to invade his forreine 
enemies with a puissant army, to attempt their haughty bragges, 
whether they durst shewe their faces before him in their owne 
territory: wherefore it was thought very necessary, that his 
royall enterprize should be spedily provided and furnished in 
every degree of things apte and convenient for the same ; for the 
expedition whereof the king thought no man's wit so meete, for 
policy and painfull travaille, as was his almoner's, to whome there- 
fore he committed his whole affiance and trust therein. And he 
being nothing scrupulous in any thinge, that the kinge would 
commande him to doe, althoughe it seamed to other very diffycile, 
tooke upon him the whole charge of all the business, and pro- 
ceeded so therein, that he brought all things to good passe in a 
decent order, as of all manner of victualls, provisions, and other 
necessaries, convenient for so noble a voiage and army. 

cunnynge, that whan he came to make the countenance of King Agamemnon 
her father, whiche hee reserved for the laste, he could devise no maner of 
newe heavy chere and countenance — but to the intent that no man should see 
what maner countenance it was, that her father hadde, the paynter was fane 
to paynte hym, holdyng his face in his handkercher. The like pageant in a 
maner plaide us there this good aunciente honourable flatterer. For whan he 
sawe that he coulde fynde no woordes of prayse, that woulde pass al that 
hadde bene spoken before all readye, the wyly Fox woulde speake never a 
word, but as he that wer ravished unto heavenwarde with the wonder of the 
wisdom and eloquence that my Lordes Grace hadde uttered in that oracyon, 
he fetched a long syghe with an Oh ! from the bottome of hys breste, and 
helde uppe both hys handes, and lyfte uppe his head, and caste up his eyen 
into the welken and wepte. Anthony. Forsooth Cosyn, he plaide his parte 
verye properlye. But was that great Prelates oracion, Cosyn, any thyng 
prayseworthye ? " Sir Thomas More's Works, p. 1221, 2. 

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22 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



All things being by him perfected, and brought to a good 
passe, the kinge, not intending to delay or neglect the time, but 
with most noble and valiant courage to avaunce to his royall 
enterprise, passed the seas 2 between Dover and Calais, where he 
prosperously arrived ; and after some aboade made there by his 
grace, as well for the arrival of his puissant army, provision and 
munition, as for the consultation of his voiage and other weighty 
affaires, he marched forward, in good order of battaile, untill he 
came to the strong towne of Turwin. To the which he laid his 
siege, and assaulted it very strongly continually, with such vehe- 
ment assaults, that within short space it was yielded 3 unto his 
majesty. Unto which place the emperor Maximilian repaired 
unto the kinge, with a great army, like a mighty prince, taking 
of the kinge his grace's wages ; which is a rare thing and but 
seldom seene, an emperor to fight under a king's banner. Thus 
when the kinge had obtained this puissant forte, and taken the 
possession thereof, and set all things there in due order, for the 
defence and preservation thereof to his highnesses use, he de- 
parted thence, and marched toward the city of Tournay, and 
there laid his siege in like manner ; to the which he gave so 
fierce and sharp assaults, that they were constrained of fine 
force 4 to render the town unto his victorious majesty. At which 

2 Passed the seas. ~\ 30th June, 1513. 

3 Yielded."] Terouenne surrendered on the 22nd August. 

4 Of fine force.] "Now this contention is easily borne ; for the one part, 
of fine force, must give place." Sir Thomas Smith in Strype's Life of Sir T. S. 
Appendix, p. 90, edit. 1698. " Heaven and happiness eternal is to Zrirovfievov 
that which is joined in issue, to which we are intituled, for which we plead, 
to which we have right ; from whence by injury and treachery we have been 
ejected, and from whence by fine force we are kept out : for this we do clamare, 
by the Clergy, our Counsel, in the view of God and Angels." Montague's 
Diatribe upon Selden's History of Tillies, p. 130. 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 23 



time the kinge gave to the almoner the bishopricke of the same 
see towards his pains and diligence sustained in that journey. 
And when the kinge had established (after possession taken there) 
all things agreeable to his princely will and pleasure, and fur- 
nished the same with noble captaines and men of warr, for the 
safeguarde of the towne, he returned 5 againe into England, 
taking with him diverse noble personnages of Fraunce, being pri- 
sonners, as the duke Longeuville 6 , and viscount Clearemount, 
with other 7 , which were taken there in a skirmish 8 , like a most 
victorious prince and conqueror. After whose retourne ime- 
diatly, the see of Lincolne fell voide by the deathe of doctor 
Smith late bishop there, the which benefice his grace gave to his 
almoner 9 , late bishop elect of Tournay, who was not negligent to 
take possession thereof, and made all the speede he could for 
his consecration ; the solemnization whereof ended, he found the 
means, that he gat the possession of all his predecessours goods, 
into his handes, whereof I have diverse times seen some parte 
that furnished his house. It was not long after that doctor 
Bambridge, archbishop of York, died at Rome \ being there the 



5 Returned.'] Henry arrived at Richmond, 24th October. 

6 Longeuville.'] Louis d'Orleans, duke of Longueville, whose captivity was 
more useful to his country than his arms would have been if successful, for 
he procured peace by negociating the marriage of Louis XII. with Mary, 
Henry's sister. 

7 Clearemount, with other.] Antoine, Vicomte de Clermont, who afterwards 
married Anne de Poitiers, the sister of the notorious Duchess of Valentinois. 
Among the "other" were Bayard, Bussy d'Amboise, La Fayette, &c. 

8 Skirmish.] This skirmish was the famous battle of Guinegaste, fought on 
the 6th of June ; called the " Battle of Spurs" by the French themselves, in 
allusion to the rapid flight of their cavalry, who deserted their own officers. 

9 Gave to his almoner.] He was consecrated bishop of Lincoln, March 26, 
a.d. 1514. Le Neve's Fasti, p. 141. 

1 Died at Rome.] 14th July, 1514; poisoned, as it was believed, at the 

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24 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

king's ambassador, unto the which sea, the kinge immediately 
presented his late new bishop of Lincolne ; so that he had three 
bishopricks 2 in his handes, in one yeare geven him 3 . 

Then prepared he again of newe as fast for his translation from 
the sea of Lincoln unto the sea of Yorke, as he did before to his 
stallation. After which solemnization done, and being then an 
archbishop and Primas Angliw, he thought himself sufficient to 

instigation of Sylvester de Giglis, bishop of Worcester. Three curious letters 
on the subject of cardinal Bambrigge's death, written by Richard Pace and 
William Burbank, the cardinal's secretaries, to Henry VIII., are printed in 
Sir Henry Ellis' Original Letters, first series, vol. i. p. 108 — 12. 

2 So that he had three bishopricks.'] Dr. Robert Barnes preached a Sermon 
on the 24th of December 1525, at St. Edward's Church in Cambridge, from 
which Sermon certain Articles were drawn out, upon which he was soon 
after called to make answer before the Cardinal. Barnes has left behind him 
a description of this examination. The sixth of the Articles was as follows. 
" I wyll never beleeve that one man may be, by the lawe of God, a Byshop 
of two or three cities, yea of an whole countrey, for it is contrarye to St. 
Paule, which sayth, / have left thee behynde, to set in every citye a Byshop." 

" I was brought afore my Lorde Cardinall into his Galary," (continues Dr. 
Barnes) " and there hee reade all myne articles, tyll hee came to this, and 
there he stopped, and sayd, that this touched hym, and therefore hee asked 
me, if I thought it wronge, that one byshop shoulde have so many cityes 
underneath hym ; unto whom I answered, that I could no farther go, than to 
St. Paules texte, whych sat in every cytye a byshop. Then asked hee mee, 
if I thought it now unright (seeing the ordinaunce of the Church) that one 
byshop should have so many cities. I aunswered that I knew none ordinaunce 
of the Church, as concerning this thinge, but St. Paules saying onelye. 
Nevertheles I did see a contrarye custom and practise in the world, but I 
know not the originall thereof. Then sayde hee, that in the Apostles tyme, 
there were dyvers cities, some seven myle, some six myle long, and over them 
was there set but one byshop, and of their suburbs also ; so likewise now, a 
byshop hath but one citye to his cathedrall churche, and the country about is 
as suburbs unto it. Me thought this was farre fetched, but I durst not denye 
it." Barnes's Works, p. 210. a.d. 1573. 

3 Geven him.'] But he resigned Lincoln in September the same year, when 
William Atwater was appointed to succeed him. 

©- — 6 



o 



CARDINAL WOLSEY. 25 



compare with Canterbury ; and thereupon erected his crosse in 
the, .court, and every other place, as well within the precinct and 
jurisdiction of Canterbury, as in any other place. And forasmuch 
as Canterbury claimeth a superiority over Yorke, as of all other 
bishoprickes within England, and for that cause claimeth, as a 
knowledge of an auncient obedience, of Yorke to abate the 
avauncing of his crosse, in presence of the crosse of Canterbury ; 
notwithstanding Yorke nothing minding to desist from bearing 
thereof, in manner as I said before, caused his crosse to be 
avaunced 4 and borne before him, as well in the presence of Can- 
terbury as elsewhere. Wherefore Canterbury 5 being moved there- 
with, gave unto Yorke a certaine check for his presumption ; by 
reason whereof there engendered some grudge betweene Yorke 
and Canterbury. Yorke perceiving the obedience that Canter- 
bury claimed of him, intended to provide some such means that 
he would be rather superior in dignity to Canterbury, than to be 
either obedient or equal to him. Whereupon he obtained first 
to be made priest cardinall 6 and Legatus de latere, unto whom the 
pope sent a cardinally hat with certaine bulles for his authority 
in that behalfe. 

Yet by the way of communication you shall understande that 

4 To be avaunced, ,] This was not the first time in which this point of prece- 
dency had been contested. Edward III. in the sixth year of his reign, at a 
time when a similar debate was in agitation, having summoned a Parliament 
at York, the archbishop of Canterbury and all the other Prelates of his Pro- 
vince, declined giving their attendance, that the Metropolitan of all England 
might not be obliged to submit his Cross to that of York, in the Province of 

i' the latter. Fox, p. 387, 8. 

5 William Wat ham. 

6 Priest cardinall.'] He was confirmed cardinal of S. Cecilia beyond the 
Tiber, by a bull of pope Leo X. dated Bologna, Dec. 13, 1515. — Fiddes's 
Records, p. 18. 

E 

o -q 



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26 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



the pope sent him this worthy hat of dignity as a Jewell of his 
honor and authority, the which was conveied in a varlett's budget, 
who seemed to all men to be but a person of small estimation. 
Whereof Yorke being advertised of the baseness of this mes- 
senger 7 , and of the people's opinion, thought it not meete for the 
honor of so highe a message, that this Jewell should be conveied 
by so simple a person ; wherefore he caused him to be stopped 
by the way, imediatly after his arrivall in England, where he was 
newely furnished in all manner of apparell, with all kinde of costly 
silkes, which seemed decent for such an high ambassador. And 
that done he was encountered upon Blackheathe, and there 
received with a great assembly of prelats and lusty gallant gen- 
tlemen, and from thence conducted and convaied through London, 
with great triumphe. Then was great and spedy provision 8 and 
preparation made in Westminster abby for the confirmation and 
acceptaunce of this highe order and dignity ; the which was exe- 
cuted by all the bishopes and abbots about or nigh London, with 
their rich miters and copes and other ornaments; which was 
done in so solemn a wise, as I have not seene the like, unlesse it 
had bin at the coronation of a mighty prince and kinge. 

7 Messenger.'] Who was of the rank of a prothonotary. See an account 
of the ceremonies observed at the reception of the hat, in Fiddes, App. 
p. 251. 

8 Great and spedy provision.'] " Not farre unlike to this was the receaving 
of the cardinalls hatte. Which when a ruffian had brought unto him to 
Westminster under his cloke, he clothed the messenger in rich array, and 
sent him backe to Dover againe, and appoynted the bishop of Canterbury to 
meete him, and then another company of lordes and gentles I wotte not how 
oft, ere it came to Westminster, where it was set on a cupborde and tapers 
about, so that the greatest duke in the lande must make curtesie thereto : yea 
and to his empty seat he being away." — Tindal's Works, p. 374 ; Fox's Acts, 
p. 902. 

Q O 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 27 



Co 



Obtaining this dignity he thought himself meete to encounter 
with Canterbury in high jurisdiction before expressed ; and that 
also he was as mete to beare authority among the temporall 
powers, as among the spirituall jurisdictions. Wherefore remem- 
bering as well the tauntes and checkes before sustained of Can- 
terbury, the which he intended to redresse, as having a respect 
to the advancement of worldly honor, promotion and great benefit, 
he founde the meanes with the kinge, that he was made lord 
chancellor 9 of England ; and Canterbury which was then chan- 
cellor dismissed, who had continued in that honorable rome, since 
long before the death of kinge Henry the seventh. 

Now he being in possession of the chancellorship, and endowed 
with the promotions of an archbishop, and cardinall de latere, 
thought himselfe fully furnished with such authorities and dig- 
nities, that he was able to surmount Canterbury in all jurisdic- 
tions and ecclesiasticall powers, having power to convocate Can- 
terbury, and all other bishops and spirituall persons, to assemble 
at his convocation, where he would assigne ; and tooke upon him 
the correction of matters in all their jurisdictions, and visited all 
the spirituall houses, having also in every diocese through this 
realme all manner of spirituall ministers, as commissaries, scribes, 
apparitors, and all other necessary officers to furnish his courtes ; 
and presented by prevention * whom he pleased unto all benefices 

9 Lord chancellor.'] Takes the oath at Eltham, Dec. 24, 1515. — Fiddes, 
p. 98. A copy of the Letters Patent, dat. 1 Dec. 7 Hen. VIII. is in the 
British Museum, Harl. MS. 381. fol. 208. 

1 Prevention^] This refers to a power gradually usurped by the popes to 
a very great extent; whereby, before any ecclesiastical promotion became 
vacant the see of Rome reserved the future nomination to itself, provided a 
successor to the bishopric or benefice, and declared that if any presentation 
was made, it should be null and void. [In 

K 2 

O 1 



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28 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



throughout all this realme, and dominions thereof. And to the 
advancing further of his legantine jurisdiction and honors, he 
had masters of his faculties, masters ceremoniarum, and such 
other like persons, to the glorifying of his dignity. (Tljen had he 
twoe great crosses of silver, whereof one of them was of his 
archbishoprick, and the other of his legacy, borne before him 
whither soever he went or rode, by two of the tallest priestes 
that he could get within this realme. And to the increase of his 
gaines he had also the bishopricke of Durham, and the abbey of 
St. Albans in commendam ; and after, when bishop Fox, bishop 
of Winchester died, he surrendered Durham into the king's 
hands, and tooke to him Winchester. Then had he in his hands, 



In one of these letters of the king and his parliament to Pope Clement VI. 
they thus solemnly expostulate against this grievous evil. 

" We have thought meet to signifie unto your holiness, that divers reser- 
vations, provisions, and collations, by your predeeessours apostolike of Rome, 
and by you, most holy father, in your time have been granted (and that more 
largely than they have beene accustomed to be) unto divers persons, as wel 
strangers and of sundry nations, as unto some such as are our enemies ; 
having no understanding at all of the tongue and conditions of them, of whom 
they have the government and cure : whereby a great number of soules are in 
perill, a great many of their parishioners in danger, the service of God de- 
stroyed, the almes and devotion of all men diminished, the hospitals perished, 
the churches with their appurtenances decayed, charitie withdrawne, the good 
and honest persons of our realme unadvanced, the charge and government of 
soules not regarded, the devotion of the people restrained, many poore scholars 
unpreferred, and the treasure of the realme carried out, against the minds 
and intents of the founders. All which errors, defaults, and slanders, most 
holy father, wee neither can nor ought to suffer or endure/' Fox's Acts, 
p. 353. Edit. 1610. This was in the year 1343. An act was passed in par- 
liament the year following to annul these reservations ; but the effect pro- 
duced was slight. The dispute was several times revived. About the year 
1376, they were, on agreement, relinquished formally by the pope : but even 
this seems not to have been effectual. Wilkins's Concilia, vol. iii. p. 97. 

O— —6 



©- © 

CARDINAL WOLSEY. 29 

as it were inferme, the bishoprickes of Bathe, Worcester, and 
Hereforde, for as much as the incumbents of them were stran- 
gers 2 , and made their aboade continually beyond the seas, in their 
own countries, or else in Rome, from whence they were sent in 
legation to this realme, unto the kinge. And for their rewardes, 
at their departure, the wise kinge Henry the seventh thought it 
better to give them that thinge which he himself could not 
keepe, than to disbourse or defray any thing of his treasure. 
And they being but strangers, thought it then more meete for 
their assurance, and to have their jurisdiction preserved and 
maintained, to suffer the cardinall to have their benefices for a 
convenient sum of money paide them yearely, whereas they 
remained, than either to be troubled with the charges of the 
same, or to be yearely burthened with the conveyaunce of their 
revenues unto them : so that all the spiritual! promotions, and 
presentations of these bishopricks were wholy and fully in his 
domaine and disposion, to preferre whom he listed. (He had 
also a great number daily attending upon him, bothe of noble- 

2 Were strangers.'] See Life of Wickliffe, p. 191. The see of Bath was 
filled by Cardinal Adrian de Castello (who had been previously bishop of 
Hereford from 1502 to 1504), and that of Worcester by Sylvester de Giglis, 
appointed in 1 499, in succession to his uncle John de Giglis ; but the then bi- 
shop of Hereford was Richard Mayhew, or Mayo, an Englishman, who was suc- 
ceeded, in 1516, by Charles Booth, also an Englishman. The see of Llandaff 
was occupied by a Spaniard, George Athequa, chaplain to Queen Katharine, 
whom he attended to this country. He, however, was not appointed until 
1517, and by Henry VIII. The see of Worcester was filled by four 
Italians in succession, viz. : — 

Giovanni de' Gigli, 30 Aug. 149/ — 25 Aug. 1498. 

Silvestro de' Gigli, (nephew of the preceding) 17 Mar. 1499 — 16 April 1521. 

Giulio de' Medici, cardinal, administrator, 31 July 1521 to 1522. 

Ieronymo de' Ghinucci, (Lat. de Nugutiis) 20 Feb. 1523. He was deprived 
in 1534. 

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30 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



men and worthy gentlemen, of great estimation and possessions, 
with no small number of the tallest yeomen, that he could get 
in all the realme, insomuch that well was that nobleman and 
gentellman, that could preferr a talle yeoman into his service. 

Nowe to speak of the order and officers of his house, I think 
it be necessary here to be remembered. And first you shall un- 
derstande, that he had in his hall continually three hordes, kept 
with three severall principal! officers ; that is to say a stewarde 
which was alwaies a priest, a treasurer a knight, and a comp- 
troller an esquire. Also a cofferer being a doctour ; three mar- 
shalles, three yeomen ushers in the halle, besides twoe groomes 
and almoners. Then had he in the hall-kitchen two clarkes of 
the kitchen, a clerke comptroller, a surveyor of the dresser, a 
clerke of his spicery, the which together kept also a continual 
mess in the hall. Also in the hall-kitchen he had master cookes 
two, and of other cookes, labourers, and children of the kitchine 
twelve persons ; four yeomen of the scullery, and four other 
yeomen of his silver scullery ; two yeomen of his pastery, with 
two other pastellers under the yeomen. 

iThen had he in his privy kitchen a master cook who went daily 
in velvet or in sattin with a chaine of gould, with two other 
yeomen, and labourers six in the same roome ; in the larder a 
yeoman and a groome ; in the scalding house a yeoman and two 
groomes ; in the saulcery two persons ; in the buttery two yeo- 
men, two groomes, and two pages ; and in the ewery likewise : 
in the celler three yeomen and three pages ; in his chaundery 
two ; in the wafery two ; in the wardrobe of bedds the master of 
the wardrobe, and ten persons ; in the laundery a yeoman, a 
groome, thirteen pages ; two yeomen purveiors, and one groome ; 
in the bakehouse a yeoman and two groomes ; in the woode- 



© _ : 



a — © 

CARDINAL WOLSEY. 31 

yarde a yeoman and a groome ; in the barne one ; in the garden 
a yeoman and two groomes ; porters at the gate two yeomen, 
and two groomes ; a yeoman of his barge : and a master of his 
horse ; a clerke of the stable, a yeoman of the same ; the saddler, 
the farrier, a yeoman of his chariot, a sumpter man, a yeoman 
of his stirrup ; a muleteer, sixteen groomes of the stable, every 
one of them kept four geldings : in the almeserie, a yeoman and 
a groome. 

vNow will I declare unto you the officers of his chappel, and 
singing men in the same 3 . First he had there a deane, a great 
divine and a man of excellent learning ; a sub-deane ; a repetor 
of the quier, a gospeller, a pisteller ; of singing priests ten ; a 
master of the children. The seculars of the chappel, being sing- 
ing men, twelve ; singing children ten, with one servaunte to 
waite upon the children. In the re vestry, a yeoman and two 
groomes : over and besides diverse retainers that came thither 
at principall feasts. And as for furniture of his chappel, it 
passeth my capacity to declare the number of the costly ornaments 
and rich Jewells, that were to be occupied in the same continually. 
For I have seen in procession about the hall forty four of very rich 
copes, of one sute, worn, besides the rich crosses and candlesticks, 
and other necessary ornaments to the furniture of the same. 

3 Singing men in the same.'] " My Lorde, yff itt were not for the personall 
love that the Kyngis Highnesse doith bere unto your Grace, suerly he wolde 
have owte off your chiapell, not chyldren oonly, but also men. For hys Grace 
hath playnley schewydde unto Cornysche, that your Graces chiapell is bettre 
than hys : and providde the same by thys reason, that yff ony manner of 
newe songe schulde be broght unto boith the said chiapellis for to be sunge 
ex improviso, then the sayde songe schulde be bettre and more suerly hand- 
lydde bi your chiapell than bi hys Graces. Cornyshe istud plane verum 
nullo modo concoquere potest." Letter from Richard Pace to Wolsey, 25 
March. Ill Ellis, ii. 49. W. Cornish was master of Henry VIII. 's chapel. 





. . 

32 CARDINAL WQLSEY. 



No we shall ye understande that he had two crosse bearers and 
two pillar bearers. In his great chamber, and in his privy 
chamber all these persons; first the cheefe chamberlaine, and 
vice-chamberlaine ; of gentlemen ushers, besides one in his privy 
chamber, he had twelve daily waiters ; and of gentlemen waiters 
in his privy chamber he had six ; and of lorcles nine or tenne, 
who had each of them two men allowed them to attend upon 
them, except the earl of Darby 4 , who had allowed five men. Then 
had he of gentlemen, of cupbearers, of carvers, of sewers bothe 
of the privy chamber, and of the great chamber, with gentlemen 
daily waiters there forty persons ; of yeomen ushers he had six ; 
of groomes in the chamber he had eight ; of yeomen of his 
chamber he had five and forty dayly ; he had also of almes men 
some more in number than other some time, there attending upon 
his borde at dinner. Of doctors and chaplens, beside them of 
his chappie, which I rehearsed before, he had in number dayly 
attending sixteen : a clerke of his closet. Then had he secretaries 
two ; two clerkes of his signet ; and four counsaillors learned in 
the la we. 

\Forasmuch as he was chauncellor of England, it was necessary 
to have diverse officers of the chauncery there to attend dayly 
upon him, for the better furniture of the same. That is to say, 
first he had the clerke of the crowne, a riding clerke, a clerke of 
the hamper, a chafer of the waxe. Then had he a clerke of the 
checke, as well upon his chaplaines, as of his yeomen of his 
chamber ; he had also fower foote men, which were garnished in 

4 Earl of Darby. ~\ Thomas Stanley, second earl of Derby, who had been 
present at the sieges of Therouenne and Tournay, and at the battle of Spurs. 
He died on the 23rd of May, 1521, (only ten days after his attendance at the 
trial of Edward Stafford, duke of Buckingham,) and left Wolsey one of 
the supervisors over the executors to his will. 

O © 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. S3 



riche running coates, whensoever he rode in any journey. Then 
had he an herald of armes, and a sergeaunt of armes ; a physition, 
a potieary ; fower ministreles ; a keeper of his tentes, an armourer ; 
an instructor of his wardes, two yeomen in the wardrobe of his 
robes, and a keeper of his chamber continually in the courte. 
He had also dayly in his house the surveyor of Yorke, and a 
clerke of the greene cloathe. All these were dayly attending 
downe lying and up-rising. At meales he kept in his great 
chamber a continual borde for the chamberleenes, and gentlemen 
officers, having with them a mess of the young lordes 5 , and 



5 A mess of the young lordes.'] Among whom, as we shall see below, was 
the eldest son of the earl of Northumberland. This was according to a prac- 
tice much more ancient than the time of Wolsey j agreeably to which young 
men of the most exalted rank resided in the families of distinguished eccle- 
siastics, under the denomination of pages, but, more probably, for the pur- 
poses of education, than of service. In this way Sir Thomas More was 
brought up under cardinal Morton, archbishop of Canterbury ; of whom he 
has given a very interesting character in his Utopia.— From Fiddes's Appendix 
to the Life of Wolsey, p. 19, it appears, that the custom was at least as old as 
the time of Grosthead, bishop of Lincoln, in the reign of Henry Til , and 
that it continued for some time during the 17th century. In a paper, written 
by the earl of Arundel, in the year 1G20, and entitled, Instructions for you my 
son William (afterwards lord Stafford) how to behave yourself at Norwich, the 
earl charges him, " You shall in all things reverence, honour, and obey my 
lord bishop of Norwich, as you would do any of your parents ; esteeminge 
whatsoever he shall tell or command you, as if your grandmother of Arundell, 
your mother, or myself, should say it; and in all things esteem yourself as my 
lord's page ; a breeding, which youths of my house, far superior to you, were 
accustomed unto ; as my grandfather of Norfolk, and his brother, my good 
uncle of Northampton, were both bredd as pages with bishopps." See also 
Paul's Life of Archbishop Whitgift, p. 97. 

It is not out of place to mention, what we are told by Sir George Wheler, 
in his Protestant Monastery, p. 158, a.d. 1698. " I have heard say, in the 
times no longer ago than king Charles I., that many noblemen's and gen- 
tlemen's houses in the country were like academies, where the gentlemen and 

F 

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34 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



another of gentlemen. And besides all these, there was never an 
officer and gentleman, or any other worthy person, but he was 
allowed in the house, some three, some two, servauntes, and all 
other one at the least, which grew to a great number of persons. — 
Nowe have I described the order according to the check roll of 
his house, and what officers and servauntes he had dayly attend- 
ing to furnish the same, besides diverse retainers, and of other 
persons being suters, that most commonly dined in the hall. 
And when we shall see any more such subjects, that shall keepe 
the like noble house, I am content he be advanced above him in 
honour. But I feare, for my parte, never to see it ; therefore 
here an end of his household. The number of the personages in 
his check roll were one hundred and eighty 6 . 

You have heard of the order and officers of his house ; now I 
do intend to proceed further of his proceedings. 

\ After that he was thus furnished, in manner as I have before 
rehearsed unto you, he was sent twice 7 in an embassage unto the 
emperor Charles the fifth that now reigneth, and father unto king 
Philip now our soveraigne lord. Forasmuch as the old emperor 
Maximilian was deade, and for divers urgent causes 8 touching 

women of lesser fortunes came for education with those of the family ; among 
which number was the famous Sir Beaville Granville and his lady, father and 
mother of our present lord of Bath." 

6 One hundred and eighty. ~\ The printed Life says eight hundred persons, 
which seems a more probable number. Mr. Singer's edition (1825), p. 39, 
says five hundred. 

7 Twice.] In 1521 and 1527. 

8 Divers urgent causes.] Nothing less than a mediation between Francis 
and the Emperor. Wolsey gave his decision in favor of the Imperial cause. 
He declared Francis to have been the aggressor in the late war, and that the 
king of England was bound to assist Charles. The negociations concluded 
in a league between Leo X., Charles V., and Henry VIII., against Francis I. 

O © 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. So 

the king's majesty, it was thought that in so weighty affaires, and 
to so noble a prince, the cardinal was most meete to be sent on 
this embassage. Wherefore he being ready to take upon him 
the charge thereof, was furnished in all degrees and purposes 
most likest a great prince, which was much to the high honor of 
the kings majesty, and of this realme. For first he proceeded 
forthe furnished like a cardinall 9 of high estimation, having all 
things there according. His gentlemen, being very many in 
number, were cloathed in livery coates of crimson velvet of the 
best, with chaines of gould about their neckes ; and his yeomen 
and all his meane officers were in coates of fine scarlet, garded 
with black velvet an hand broade. Thus furnished he was twice 
in this manner sent unto the emperor into Flanders, the emperor 
lying then in Bruges ; whome he did most highely entertame l , dis- 

The Pope was to act on the side of Italy, the Emperor on the side of Spain 
and the Low Countries at once, and the English monarch in Picardy. In 
the British Museum is preserved a full account of this embassy, under the 
title of " Relation de ce qui se traita a, Calais, entre les deputes de Charles V. 
et ceux de Francois I., ou presidoit le Cardinal d'York, legat, comme me- 
diateur de la part du roy d'Angleterre, Pan 1521." 

9 Furnished like a cardinall.'] Amongst the Harleian MSS. in the British 
Museum (Harl. MS. 620) is preserved the Steward's Account of the Em- 
bassy of 1521, thus described in Wanley's Catalogue. "The booke of Solu- 
cions in my Lord Grace's journey to Cales, Bruges, and other places ; Mr. 
Robert Carter occupyinge the office of stewardship, anno 13mo r. R. Henrici 
VIII." * This journey is understood to commence on Monday, 29th of July, 
and to end on Sunday, the first day of December following, when Cardinal 
Wolsey, in his return, dined at Sittingbourne, in Kent. But, besides this 
journal, here is an account of the velvet, scarlet bonnets, &c. delivered to the 
cardinal's servants who attended him in his embassy, and of other expenses 
in his family during the time above-mentioned." The whole amount of the 
expenses is summed up at 2386/. 145. Q\d. 

1 Most highely cntertaine.'] At Bruges, "he was received with great 
solemnity, as belongeth unto so mighty a pillar of Christes church, and was 

F 2 

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charging all his charges, and all his mens. There was no house 
within the towne of Bruges, wherein any gentlemen of the 
cardinalls were lodged or had recourse, but that the owners were 
commanded by the emperors officers, that they, upon paine of their 
lives, should take no money for any thing that the cardinalls 
servauntes did take of any kind of victualls^ no although they 
were disposed to make any costly banquettes; commanding further- 
more their said hostes, to see that they lacke no such things as 
they honestly required, or desired to have, for their honesty and 
pleasure. Also the emperors officers every nighte went throughe 
the towne, from house to house, whereas any English gentleman 
did repast or lodged, and served their liveries for all night ; 
which was done in this manner : first the officers brought into 
the house a cast of fine manchet 2 , and of silver two great pottes, 
with white wine, and sugar, to the weight of a pound ; white 
lightes and yellow lightes ; a bowle of silver, with a goblet to 
drinke in ; and every night a staffe torch. This was the order of 
their liveries every night. And then in the morning, when the 
same officers came to fetch away their stuffe, then would they 
accompt with the hostes for the gentlemens costes spent in the 
daye before. Thus the emperor entertained the cardinall and all 
his traine, for the time of his embassage there. And that done, 
he returned home againe into Englande, with great triumphe, 
being no lesse in estimation with the kinge, than he was before, 
but rather much better. 

Nowe will I declare unto you his order in going to West- 
saluted at the entering into the towne of a merry fellow which sayd, Sake Rex 
regis tui, atque regni sui, Hayle both king of thy king, and also of his realme." 
TindaPs Works, p. 370, a.d. 1572. 

2 Fine manchet.'] Bread of the finest flour. 

6 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 37 



minster Hall, dayly in the tearme season. First ere he came out 
of his privy chamber, he heard most commonly every day two 
masses in his closet : and as I heard one of his chaplains saye, 
which was a man of credence and of excellent learning, the cardi- 
nall, what business or weighty matters soever he had in the day, 
he never went to bed with any parte of his divine service unsaide, 
not so much as one collect ; wherein I doubt not but he deceived 
the opinion of diverse persons. Then going againe to his privy 
chamber, he would demaund to some of his saide chamber, if his 
servauntes were in a readiness, and had furnished his chamber of 
presence, and waiting chamber. He being thereof then advertised, 
came out of his privy chamber, about eight of the clocke, appa- 
relled all in red ; that is to say, his upper garment was either of 
fine scarlet, or taffety, but most commonly of fine crimson satten 
engrained ; his pillion 3 of fine scarlet, with a neck set in the inner 
side with blacke velvet, and a tippet of sables about his necke ; 
holding in his hande anforange, whereof the meate or substance 
within was taken out, and filled up againe with the parte of a 
spunge, wherein was vinegar and other confections against the 
pestilent aires ; the which he most commonly held to his nose v 
when he came among any presse, or else that he was pestered 
with any suiters \ And before him was borne first the broade ■ 

3 Pillion.'] Cap, from the Latin pileus. 

4 Pestered with any suiters.] We have seen how rapid was the Cardinal's 
rise. It should seem, that very soon after his elevation, he contracted a 
demeanour and carriage, even towards persons of the highest rank, which was 
very likely, in its season, to contribute to his fall. Could a Talbot or a Dacre 
easily bear to hear of such neglect from an upstart ecclesiastic, as we have on 
record from unquestionable authority ? George, earl of Shrewsbury, was 
at this time steward of the royal household: and he had a suit to the 
king, apparently connected with his official duties, which was to reach his 
sovereign through the mediation of the favourite, the time being within about 

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38 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

seale of Englande, and his cardinally hat by a lorde or some 
gentleman of worship, right solemnely. And as soone as he was 
entered into his chamber of presence, where there was dayly 
attending upon him, as well noble men of this realme, and other 
worthy gentlemen, as gentlemen of his owne family ; his two 
great crosses were there attending, to be borne before him. 
Then cried the gentlemen ushers, going before him, bare headed, 

two years from Wolsey's elevation to that dignity. Thomas Alen, a confi- 
dential servant of the Earl, writes thus to his master : — 

" Upon Monday was semnight last past, I delivered your letters to the 
Cardinal at Guilford; whereas he commanded me to wait upon him to the 
Court, and I should have precepts on them. ... I followed him to the Court 
and there gave attendance, and could have no answer. Upon Friday last he 
came from thence to Hampton Court, where he lieth. The day after I 
besought his grace I might know his pleasure : I could have no answer then. 
Upon Monday last, as he walked in the Park at Hampton Court, I besought 
him I might know, if he would command me any service : he was not pleased 
with me that I spake to him. The Sunday before, I delivered the letter unto 
him which Ralph Leach brought : I can have no answer to neither of both. 
He that shall be a suitor to him may have no other business but give attendance 
upon his pleasure : he that shall so do is needful to be a wiser man than I 
am. I saw no other remedy, but come without answer, to pursue such 
things in London as your lordship commands tp be done ; except I would 
have done as my Lord Dacre's servant doth, which came with letters for the 
king's grace five months since, and yet hath no answer ; and another servant 
of the Deputy of Calais in like wise, which came before he " (the Cardinal) 
"rode to Walsingham. I hear that he answered them; ' If ye be not content 
to tarry my leisure, depart when ye will.' This is truth ; I had lever your 
lordship commanded me to . . . than to deliver unto him letters and to bring 
answer of the same. When he walks in the park, he will suffer no suitor to 
come nigh unto him ; but commands him away as far as a man will shoot an 
arrow." Lodge's Illustrations of British History, vol. i. p. 28. 

After the Cardinal's fall, and when sickness and sorrow were pressing 
heavily upon him, he was treated kindly, and even compassionately by this 
nobleman, as we shall learn from Cavendish, towards the close of our narra- 
tive : but are we to wonder much that previously we find the name of Shrews- 
bury subscribed to the articles of the favourite's impeachment ? 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 39 



and said "Ipn before my lordes and masters, on before ; and 
make way for my Lord Cardinally Thus went he downe 
through the hall with a sergeaunt of amies before him bearing 
a great mace of silver, and two gentlemen carrying of two great 
pillars of silver ; and when he came to the hall doore, then his 
mule stood trapped all in crimson velvet, with a saddle of the 
jsame, and gilt stirrups. Then was there attending upon him, 
when he was mounted, his two crosse bearers, and his pillar 
bearers 5 , in like case, upon great horses trapped all in fine 

5 Two crosse bearers, and his pillar bearersJ] The pillar, as well as the 
cross, was emblematical, and designed to imply, that the dignitary before 
whom it was carried was a pillar of the church. Dr. Barnes, who had good 
reason why these pillars should be uppermost in his thoughts, glances at this 
emblem, in the case of the cardinal, in the following words : " and yet it must 
bee true, because a pillar of the church hath spoken it." Barnes's Works, 
p. 210. a.d. 1572. See also Tindal's Works, p. 370. 

Skelton, Poet-laureate of that time, wrote a most severe satire and invec- 
tive against this cardinal, entitled "Why come ye nat to Courte?" and, upon 
its publication, fled to the sanctuary in Westminster for refuge. Another 
satire, equally severe, called " Rede me and be not wrothe," has been attri- 
buted to Skelton, but it is really the work of William Roy, who therein takes 
notice of these crosses (and pillars) in the following lines : 

I With worldly pompe incredible 
Before him rydeth two prestes stronge, 
And they bear two crosses right longe, 
Gapynge in every mans face. 
After them folowe two laye-men secular 
And eache of theym holdyng a pillar 
In their hondes, steade of a mace. 
Then foloweth my lorde on his mule 
Trapped with gold. 

Then hath he servants five or six score, 
Some behynd and some before. 

Almost every action of Wolsey hath been interpreted as an instance of pomp, 
ambition, or insolence ; notwithstanding probably, upon a full examination, 

& — Q 



. 

40 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

scarlett. Then marched he forwarder with a traine of noblemen 
and gentlemen, having his foote-men fower in number about him, 
bearing each of them a gilt poll-axe in their handes : and thus 
passed he forthe untill he came to Westminster Hall doore. And 
there he alighted and went after this manner, up into the chaun- 
cery, or into the star chamber ; howbeit most commonly he would 
goe into the chauncery, and staye a while at a barre, made for him, 
beneathe the chauncery, on the right hand, and there commune 
sometimes with the judges, and sometimes with other persons. 
And that done he would repair into the chauncery, sitting there 
till an eleven of the clocke, hearing of suites and determining of 
other matters. And from thence, he would diverse times goe into 
the star chamber, as occasion would serve. There he spared 
neither highe nor lowe, but judged every estate according to 
his merits, and desertes. 

I He used also every Sunday to resorte to the courte, then being 
for the most parte of all the yeere at Greenwiche, with his former 
triumphs, taking his barge at his owne staires furnished with 
yeomen standing upon the bayles, and his gentlemen being within 
a boat ; and landed againe at the Three Cranes 6 in the vintree. 
And from thence he rode upon his mule, with his crosses, his 
pillers, his hat, and the broade seale carried before him, on horse- 
back through Thames-street, untill he came to Billingsgate ; and 
there took his barge againe, and so rowed to Greenwich, where he 

most of them will be found to be strictly precedented. Anstis's Letter to Dr. 
Fiddes, in Fiddes's Life of Wohey, p. 89. Appendix. Roy's satire is reprinted 
entire in the Harleian Miscellany, vol. ix. pp. 1 — 83. edit. 1812. 

6 Landed againe at the Three Cranes.~\ In Upper Thames street. He landed 
in order to avoid the danger of passing under London Bridge when the tide 
was ebbing and the fall of water was great; his barge in the mean time 
" shooting the bridge," as the passage down the fall was familiarly termed. 

o 



was nobly received of the lordes and chief officers of the kings 
house, bearing their white staves, as the treasurer and comptroller, 
with many others ; and so they conveied him to the kings cham- 
ber, his crosses, for the time of his tarrying, standing there in a 
corner, on the one side of the kings cloath of estate. Then he 
being there, the courte was fully furnished with noble men and 
gentlemen, which was before his coming but slenderly furnished. 
And after dinner among the lordes, having some consultation with 
the kinge, or with his counsell, he would depart home with like 
triumphe 7 : and this order he used continually, as opportunity did 
serve. 

7 With like triumphe.'] We have already seen that all this pomp did not pass 
free from animadversion. But it was exposed to censures more solemn than 
those which flowed merely from the satirist's pen. Sir Thomas More, when 
speaker of the House of Commons, noticing a complaint which had been 
made by the cardinal, that nothing could be said or done in that house, but 
it was presently spread abroad, and became the talk of every tavern or ale- 
house, '\Masters, (says he) forasmuche as my lord cardinall latelie laied to 
our charges the lightnes of our tongues for things uttered out of this house, 
it shall not in my rninde be amisse to receive him with all his pompe, with his 
maces, his pillers, pollaxes, his crosses, his hatt, and the greate seale too ; to 
thintent, that if he finde the like fault with us heereafter, wee maie be the 
bolder from ourselves to laie the blame on those that his grace bringeth hither 
with him." Roper's Life of Sir Thomas More, p. 38. edit. 1729. Sir 
Thomas also, in his Apology, written in the year 1 533, reflects severely upon 
the change introduced among the clergy, through the cardinal's means, in the 
luxury and sumptuousness of their dress. Works, p. 892. 

The pulpit likewise occasionally raised its voice against him. Doctor 
Barnes, who was burnt in Smithfield in the year 1541, preached at St. 
Edward's church, in Cambridge, a sermon, for which he was called to appear 
before the cardinal. This was a part of their dialogue, as it is related in Fox : 
"What, Master Doctor, (said the cardinall) had you not a sufficient scope in 
the Scriptures to teach the people, but that my golden shoes, my pollaxes, 
my pillers, my golden cushions, my cross did so sore offend you, that you 
must make us ridiculum caput amongst the people ? We were jolily that day 
laughed to scorne. Verely it was a sermon more fitter to be preached on a 

G 

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Thus in great honour, triumpke, and glory he reigned a long 
season, ruling all things within this realme, appertaining unto the 
kinge, by his wisdome, and also in all other weighty matters in 
foraigne regions, with which the king of this realme had any occa- 
sion to intermeddle. All ambassadors of foraigne potentates were 
alwaies dispatched by his wisdome, to whom they had continuall 
access for their dispatch. His house was alwaies resorted like a 
kings house, with noble men and gentlemen, with coming and 
going in and out, feasting, and banquetting these ambassadors 
diverse times, and all other right nobly. 

And when it pleased the kings majesty, for his recreation, to 
repaire unto the cardinalls house, as he did diverse times in the 
yeare, there wanted no preparation, or goodly furniture, with 



stage than in a pulpit ; for at the last you said I weare a paire of redde gloves, 
I should say bloudie gloves {quoth you), that I should not be cold in the midst 
of my ceremonies. And Barnes answered, I spake nothing but the truth out 
of the Scriptures, according to my conscience, and according to the old 
doctors." Fox's Acts, p. 1088. Barnes himself drew up an account of this 
interview, in which he opens to us some part of the philosophy upon which 
the cardinal defended the fitness of that pomp and state which he maintained. 
"Then sayd hee, How thinke you, were it better for me, being in the honour 
and dignitie that T am, to coyne my pyllers, and pollaxes, and to give the 
money to five or six beggers, then for to mayntaine the commonwealth by 
them, as I doe ? Do you not reckon {quoth hee) the commonwealth better 
then five or sixe beggers ? To this I did answere, that I reckoned it more 
to the honour of God, and to the salvation of his soule, and also to the com- 
fort of his poore brethren, that they were coyned, and given in ahnes. And 
as for the commonwealth, it did not hang of them : for as his grace knew, 
the commonwealth was afore his grace, and must bee when his grace is gone, 
and the pillers and pollaxes came with him, and should also goe away with 
him. Notwithstanding, if the commonwealth were in such a condition, that 
it had need of them, then might his grace so long use them, or any other thing 
in their stead, so long as the commonwealth needed them." — Barnes's Works, 
p. 215, a.d. 1572. Compare Fox's Acts, p. 956. 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 43 



viandes of the finest sorte that could be gotten for money or 
friendshippe. Such pleasures were then devised for the kings 
consolation, or comforte, as might be invented or imagined. 
Banquettes were set forthe, masks, and moumeries, in so gor- 
geous a sorte, and costly manner, that it was a heaven to behold. 
There wanted no dames, nor damoselles, meete or apt to daunce 
with the maskers, or to garnish the place for that time, with 
other goodly disportes. Then was there all kinde of musicke 
and harmony set forthe, with excellent fine voices bothe of men 
and children, (i have seen the kinge come sodainly thither in a 
maske with a dozen maskers all in garments, like sheparcles, 
made of fine cloathe of golde, and fine crimson satten paned 8 , 
and cappes of the same, with visors of good proportion of vis- 
namy 9 ; their heares, and beardes either of fine gold wier or of 
silver, or else of good black silke ; having sixteene torch bearers, 
besides three drummes, and other persons attending them, with 
visors, clothed all in satten, of the same color. (And before his 
entering into the hall, ye shall understand, that he came by 
water to the water gate, without any noyse, where were laide 
divers chambers 1 and gunnes, charged with shot, and at his 
landing they were shote off, which made such a rumble in the 
ayer, that it was like thunder. It made all the noble men, gen- 

8 Paned.'} Shaded or inlaid in compartments of angular form, like panes. 
The word is still used to denote compartments on the bindings of bibles and 
prayer-books : its application to clothes has ceased with the fashion. 

9 Visnamy.~\ A corruption of physiognomy. 
"And but half seen his ugly visnomie." 

Spenser's Faery Queen. 
1 Chambers.'] " Short pieces of ordnance or cannon, which stood on their 
breeching without any carriage, used chiefly for rejoicings, and theatrical 
cannonades, being little more than chambers for powder." — Nares' Glossary, 
in v. 

g 2 

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tlemen, ladies, and gentlewomen to muse what it should meane 
coming so sodainly, they sitting quiet at solemne banquet ; under 
this sorte ; f First ye shall perceive, that the tables were set in the 
chamber of presence, nise covered, and my lord cardinall sitting 
under the cloathe of estate, there having all his service alone ; 
and then was there set a lady and a noble man, or a gentleman 
or gentlewoman, throughout all the tables in the chamber on the 
one side, which were made adjoyning, as it were but one table. 
All which order and devise was done by the lorde Sandes 2 , then 
lorde chaniberlaine to the king, and by sir Henry Ghiilforde con- 
troller of the kings majesties house. Then immediately after 
this great shot of gunnes, the cardinall desired the lord chamber- 
lain, and the said controller to looke what it should meane, as 
though he knew nothing of the matter. They looking out of 
the windowes into the Thames, returned againe, and shewed him, 
that it seemed they were noble men and strangers arrived at 
his bridge, coming as ambassadors from some forraigne prince. 
With that quoth the cardinall, "(I desire you, because you can 
speake Frenche, to take the pains to goe into the hall there to 
receive them, according to their estates, and to conduct them 
into this chamber, where they shall see us, and all these noble 
personages being merry at our banquett, desiring them to sit 
downe with us, and to take parte of our fare." Then went they 
incontinent downe into the hall, whereas they received them with 
twenty newe torches, and conveied them up into the chamber, 
with such a number of drums and flutes, as I have seldome seen 
together, at one place and time. At their arrivall into the cham- 



2 Lorde Sandes."] William Sandys, who, according to Dugdale, was created 
lord Sandys in 1523, but he was not summoned to Parliament till 1529. 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 45 



ber, two and two together, they went directly before the cardinal! 
where he sat, and saluted him very reverently; to whom the 
lorde chamberlain for them saide, "(Sir, forasmuch as they be 
strangers, and cannot speake Englishe, they have desired me to 
declare unto you, that they having understanding of this your 
triumphant banquette, where was assembled such a number of 
excellent faire dames, could doe no lesse, under the supportation 
of your grace, but to repaire hither to viewe as well their incom- 
parable beauty, as for to accompany them at mumchaunce 3 , and 
then after to daunce with them and to have of their acquaintance. 
And sir, furthermore they require of your grace licence to accom- 
plish the saide cause of their cominge." To whome the cardinall 
saide, he was very well content they should so doe. Then went 
the maskers and first saluted all the dames, and then returned to 
the most worthiest, and there opened their great cup of gold, 
filled with crownes, and other pieces of golde, to whome they set 
certaine of the pieces of golde to cast at. Thus perusing all the 
ladies and gentlewomen, to some they loste, and of some they 
wonne. And perusing after this manner all the ladies, they 
returned to the cardinall, with great reverence, pouring downe all 
the golde left in their cuppe, which was above two hundred 



3 Mumchaunce.'] Mum-chance, a game of hazard, with dice. — Warton's 
History of English Poetry, vol. iii. p. 155. 

" Silence seems to have been essential at it : whence its name : 
"And for mum-chance, howe'er the chance do fall, 
You must be mum, for fear of marring all. 

" Machiavell's Dog. in Old Plays, xii. 423." 
Tt seems to have been also played with cards : 

" The cardes are fetch'd, and mumchance or decoy is the game." 

Dekkar's Bellman of London. 
Nares' Glossary, in v. 

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46 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



crownes. ''At all,' 1 quoth the cardinall 4 , and so cast the dice, 
and wonne them, whereat was made great noyse and joie. Then 
quoth the cardinall to my lord chamberlen, "(I pray yon," quoth 
he, " that you will shew them, that mee seemeth, there should 
be a noble man amongst them, who is more meete to occupy this 
seate and place than am I ; to whome I would most gladly sur- 
render the same, according to my duty, if I knewe him." Then 
spake my lord chamberlain unto them in French, declaring my 
lorde cardinals wordes, and they rounding 5 him againe in the 
eare, the lord chamberlen saide to my lord cardinall, 't Sir, they 
confesse," quoth he, " that among them there is such a noble 
personnage, whome if your grace can appoint out from the rest, 
he is content to disclose himselfe, and to take and accepte your 
place, most worthely." With that the cardinall, taking a good 
advisement among them, at the last quoth he, "Me seemeth the 
gentleman with the black bearde should be even he." And with 
that he rose out of his chaire, and offered the same to the same 
gentleman in the blacke bearde, with his cap in his hande. The 
person to whom he offered then his chaire was sir Edward 
Neville 6 , a comely knight of a goodly personnage, that much 

4 " At all," quoth the cardinally 

" There is my honour's pawn : 

Engage it to the trial, if thou darest. 
Aumerle. Who sets me else ? By heaven, I'll throw at all : 
I have a thousand spirits in one breast, 
To answer twenty thousand such as you." 

King Richard II. Act IV. Scene 1. 

5 Rounding.'] Whispering. Muttering. Shakspeare and others draw a 
distinction between whispering and rounding. 

" They're here with me already, whispering, rounding." 

Winter's Tale, act i. sc. 2. 

6 Sir Edward Neville.'] He was third son of George, second lord Aberga- 

o 



CARDINAL WOLSEY. 47 

more resembled the kings person in that maske, than any other. 
The king hearing and perceiving the cardinal! so deceived in his 
estimation and choice, could not forbear laughing, but pulled 
down his visor, and Mr. Neville's also, and dashed out such a 
pleasant countenance and cheare, that all the noble estates there 
assembled, perceivings the kinge to be there amongst them, 
rejoiced very much. (The cardinall eftsoones desired his highnesse 
to take the place of estate, to whome the king answered, that he 
would goe first and shifte his apparell ; and soe departed, and 
went straighte into my lord cardinalls bed chamber, where was a 
great fire prepared for him ; and there newe apparelled him with 
riche and princely garments. (And in the time of the kings 
absence, the dishes of the banquette were cleane taken up, and 
the table spreade againe with newe and cleane perfumed cloathes ; 
every man sitting still untill the kings majesty with all his maskers 
came in among them againe, every man newly apparelled. Then 
the king tooke his seate under the cloathe of estate, comanding 
every person to sit still, as they did before. In came a newe 
banquette before the king's majesty, and to all the reste through- 
out all the tables, wherein, I suppose, were served two hundred 
divers dishes of wonderous costly devises and subtilties. Thus 
passed they forthe the nighte with banquetting, dauncing, and 
other triumphant devises, to the great comforte of the kinge, and 
pleasaunt regarde of the nobility there assembled. 

venny, and was one of Henry's choice friends and companions, partaking 
alike of the king's pleasures and campaigns, if such they can be called. He 
partook also of the fate which attended other of Henry's friends, for he was 
indicted as a favourer of Reginald Pole, and was attainted and beheaded on 
Tower Hill on the 9th Jan. 1538. He is the direct ancestor of the earl of 
Abergavenny and also of the Nevilles of Billingbear, now represented by lord 
Braybrooke. 

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48 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



All this matter I have declared largely, because ye shall under- 
stande what joy and delight the cardinall had, to see his prince 
and soveraigne lorde in his house, so nobely entertained and 
placed, which was alwaies his only study, to devise things to his 
comforte, not passing upon the charges or expenses. It delighted 
him so much, to have the king's pleasaunt and princely presence, 
that nothing was to him more delectable, than to cheare his sove- 
raigne lorde, to whome he owed so much obedience and loyalty ; 
as reason required no lesse, all things well considered. 

^Thus passed the cardinall his time forthe, from daye to daye, 
and yeare to yeare, in such great wealthe, joye, and triumphe, 
and glory, having alwaies on his side the king's especiall favor ; 
untill fortune, of whose favour no man is longer assured, than she 
is disposed, began to waxe somethinge wrothe with his pros- 
perous estate. (And for the better meane to bring him lowe, she 
procured Venus, the insatiate goddess, to be her instrument; 
who brought the kinge in love with a gentlewoman, that, after 
she perceived and felt the king's goodwill towards her, how glad 
he was to please her, and to graunt all her requeste, wrought the 
cardinall muche displeasure ; as hereafter shall be more at large 
declared. This gentlewoman was the daughter of sir Thomas 
Bulleine knight, being at that time but only a batchelor knight, 
the which afterwards, for the love of his daughter, was promoted 
to high dignities 7 . He bare at diverse severall times for the most 



7 To high dignities.'] Knight of the king's body and governor of Norwich 
castle (3 Henry VIII.). Ambassador to the emperor (4 Henry VIII.). 
Ambassador in France (11 Henry VIII.). Ambassador to the emperor (13 
Henry VIII.) Treasurer of the household and ambassador to Spain (14 
Henry VIII.). K. G. 1523. Created viscount Rochford (18 June, 17 Henry 
VIII. 1525). Ambassador to France (19 Henry VIII.). Created earl of 

6 — ^ 6 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 49 



parte all the great romes of the king's household, as comptroller, 
and treasurer, and the like. Then was he made viscount Eoche- 
forde ; and at the last created earle of Wiltshire, and knight of 
the noble order of the Garter ; and, for his more increase of 
honor and gaines, was made lorde keeper of the privy seale, and 
one of the chiefest of the king's counsell ; thus continued he, 
untill his sonne and daughter began to fall into the king's high 
indignation and displeasure. The king during his favor fantased 
soe much his daughter, that almost all things began to growe out 
of frame. 

( To tell you howe the king's love began to take place, and what 
followed thereof, I will doe even as much as I know to declare to 
you. This gentlewoman was commonly called Mistress Anne 
Bulleine. She being but very young 8 , was sent into the realme 
of Fraunce, and there made one of the french queene's * women, 



Wiltshire and Ormond (8 Dec, 21 Henry VIII. 1529). Lord Privy Seal (24 
Jan. 1530). He was again ambassador to Charles V. He died in 1538. 

8 Very young, .] "Not above seven years of age, anno 1514." MS. Twysd. 
The above is taken from a small fragment of this Life, which has been very 
recently printed, from a MS. in the handwriting of Sir Roger Twysden, 
bart., in the margin of which fragment a few notes occur, from the pen of 
the same eminent antiquarian. 

1 French queene's.~\ " It should seeme by somme that she served three in 
France successively; Mary of England maryed to Lewis the Twelfth an. 1514, 
with whome she went out of England, but Lewis dying the first of January 
following, and that queene (being) to returne home, sooner than either Sir 
Thomas Bullen or some other of her frendes liked she should, she was pre- 
ferred to Clauda, daughter to Lewis XII. and wife to Francis I. then queene 
(it is likely upon the commendation of Mary the dowager), who not long 
after dying, an. 1524, not yet weary of France, she went to live with Mar- 
guerite, dutchess of Alancon and Berry, a lady much commended for her 
favour towards good letters, but never enough for the Protestant religion then 
in the infancy — from her, if I am not deceived, she first learnt the grounds of 

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50 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



continuing there untill the french queen died. And then was she 
sent for home againe 2 ; and being againe with her father, he made 
such meanes, that she was admitted one of queen Katherine's ; 
women ; among whome, for her excellent gesture and behaviour, 
she did excell all other ; in so much that the kinge began to grow 
enamoured with her 3 ; which was not known to any person, ne 
scantly to her owne person. 

Protestant religion ; so that England may seem to owe some part of her 
happyness derived from that lady." — MS. Twysd. 

2 Sent for home againe.~\ " Cavendish says that she returned after the 
death of Clauda, which happened on the 20th July, 1524. Spelman 
(p. 2) makes her remain in the family of the duchess of Alencon, who quitted 
France in September, 1525, and was married to the nominal king of Navarre 
in 1527. It is plain that neither of these dates can be correct. Herbert 
assures us (and appeals for the assertion to ' our records') that she returned 
to England in 1522, * at the same time when our students at Paris were 
remanded' (pp. 46 and 122). Fiddes informs us that Francis complained to 
the English ambassador, that * the English scholars and the daughter of Sir 
Thomas Boleyn should return home' (p. 268). The cause of her recall ap- 
pears in the * State Papers.' 

" Lord Surrey, to put an end to the dispute between the Butlers and the 
Boleyns, had suggested to Henry that the son of Sir Piers Butler should 
marry the daughter of Sir Thomas Boleyn (St. Pap. ii. 5). The plan was 
approved by Henry after some hesitation; and the Cardinal by his order un- 
dertook to bring about the marriage (ib. i. 91). The editors of the State 
Papers suppose that the daughter in question was Mary Boleyn, because 
Anne was in France at the date of Wolsey's letter, Nov. 1521. But they 
were not aware that Mary was married nine months before, and that of course 
the proposal could apply to no one but Anne. The dates also correspond. 
"Wolsey undertook the negotiation in November, and the order for Anne's 
return reached Paris in the beginning of the next year." Lingard, vi. Ill, 1 12. 
Mary Boleyn was married on the 31st Jan. 1521, to William Carey, gentler 
man of the Privy Chamber. 

3 To grow enamoured with her.'] Henry's passion for her endured nearly ten 
years before he attained his wishes. It arose certainly not later than the 
summer of 1523, when she was sixteen years old ; she was not created mar- 
chioness of Pembroke till Sept. 1, 1532, nor crowned as queen till Easter, 



o- 



© 

CARDINAL WOLSEY. 51 

(jNTowe was at that time the lorde Peircie *, sonne and heire of 
the earle of Northumberlande, attending upon my lord cardinall, 
and was his servaunte ; and when it chaunced the said lorde 
cardinall at any time to repaire unto the courte, the lord Percie 
would resorte then for his pastime into queen Katherine^s cham- 
ber, and there would he fall in dalliance among the maides, being 
at the last more conversante with Mrs. Anne Bulleine, than with 
any other, so that there grewe such a secrette love betweene them, 
that at the length, they were insured together 5 , intending to 
marrye. The which thinge when it came to the king's know- 
ledge, he was therewith mightily offended. Wherefore he could 
no longer hide his secret affection, but he revealed 6 his whole dis- 



1 533. Lingard (vi. 113) says, " the king's passion for Anne must have begun 
at the latest in the summer of 1526, probably much earlier." Lingard 
had forgotten that by fixing the date of Percy's marriage in 1523-4, he had 
proved it to be much earlier. See p. 57, note. 

4 The lorde Peircie.~] Henry Algernon Percy, who at the death of his father, 
in 1527, became sixth earl of Northumberland. He married Mary, daughter 
of George Talbot, earl of Shrewsbury. By his death without issue, shortly 
after the attainder and execution of his brother sir Thomas Percy in 1537, 
the title of Northumberland became extinct until it was revived as a dukedom 
by Edward VI. in 1551, in favor of John Dudley, earl of Warwick, the son 
of that Dudley who was attainted with Empson. In two short years he was 
attainted and executed, and in 1557 the son of sir Thomas Percy was restored 
to the family honors and estates. Whilst reading the eventful history of Wol- 
sey, it is well to note the chequered fortunes of the other actors on the scene. 

5 Insured together. .] This expression, unless the author himself were mis- 
informed, must not be extended to imply an absolute pre-contract. For lord 
Herbert, in his Life of Henry VIII., p. 448, has published an original letter 
from this nobleman, then earl of Northumberland, written in the year 1536, 
a short time before queen Anne's suffering, in which he denies any such 
contract, in the most solemn terms. 

6 He revealed.] This must have been in the summer of 1523. It was 
not till the end of 1527, after the departure of Montmorency, that Wolsey 

h 2 

o — — o 





52 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

pleasure and secrets unto the cardinall in that behalfe ; and willed 
him to infringe the assuraunce, made then betweene the saide lord 
Peircie and Mrs. Anne Bulleine : in somuch as, the cardinall, 
after his retourne home from the courte to his house in West- 
minster, being in his gallery, not forgetting the king's eommande- 
ment, called then the saide lord Peircie unto his presence, and 
before us his servauntes, then attending upon him, saide unto 
him thus. 

"I marvaile not a little," quoth he, "of thy folly, that thou 
wouldest thus entangle and ensure thyselfe with a foolish girle 
yonder in the courte, Anne Bulleine. Doest thou not consider 
the estate that God hath called thee unto in this worlde I For 
after thy father's death, thou art most like to inherit and enjoye 
one of the noblest earledomes of this region. Therefore it had 
bene most meete, and convenient for thee, to have sued for the 
consent of thy father in that case, and to have also made the 
King's Highness privy thereof, requiring therein his princely 
favor, submitting thy proceedinge in all such matters unto his 
Highness, who would not only thankfully have accepted thy sub- 
mission, but would, I am assured, have provided so for thy pur- 
pose therein, that he would have advaunced thee much more 
nobly, and have matched thee according to thine estate, and 
honor, whereby thou mightest have growne so by thy wise beha- 
viour in the king's high estimation, that it should have beene 
much thine advauncement. But now see what ye have done, 
through your wilfulness. You have not only offended your father, 
but also your loving soveraigne lorde, and matched your selfe with 
one, such as neither the king, nor your father will be agreeable to 

was astcmnded by Henry's information that he intended to marry Anne 
Boleyn. 

o— o 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 53 

the match. And hereof I put thee out of doubt, that I will 
send for thy father, and at his coming, he shall either breake this 
unadvised bargaine, or else disinherit thee for ever 7 . The king's 
majesty himselfe will complaine to thy father on thee, and require 
no lesse than I have saide ; whose Highnesse intending to have 
preferred Anne Bulleine unto another person 8 , wherein the kinge 
hath already travelled, and being almost at a pointe with the same 
person for her, although she knoweth not it, yet hath the kinge, 
most like a politique and prudent prince, conveied the matter in 
such sorte, that she, upon his Grace's motion, will be, I doubt 
not, right glade, and agreeable to the same." " Sir," quoth the 
lorde Piercie all weping, " I know nothing of the king's pleasure 
herein, for the which I am very sorry. I considered I am of good 
yeares, and thought myselfe sufficient to provide me a convenient 
wife, whereas my fancy served me best, not doubting but that my 
lorde my father would have bene right well contented. And 
although she be but a simple maide, having but a knight to her 
father, yet she is descended of right noble bloud and parentage. 
As for her mother, she is nigh of the Norfolke's bloud ; and as for 
her father, he is descended of the earle of Ormond, being one of 
the earle's heirs generall. Why should I then, Sir, be any thing 



7 Disinherit thee for ever.] This threat, coupled with blighted love, must 
needs have embittered Percy's feelings towards Wolsey ; and when we know, 
in addition, that his forced marriage with lord Shrewsbury's daughter was 
unhappy, it seems strange that Fiddes, in his Life of Wolsey, should charge 
Northumberland with ingratitude for taking part in the cardinal's arrest. 

8 Unto another person.] Meaning the son of sir Piers Butler. Wolsey 
evidently wished lord Percy to believe that the king's displeasure arose simply 
from Percy's wish to marry a person inferior to himself, and who was des- 
tined for another. Percy's answer and lord Northumberland's rebuke imply 
the same. 

© . _ o 



© — — & 

54 . CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

scrupulous to niatche with her, whose estate and descent is equall 
with mine, even when I shall be in most dignity ? Therefore I 
most humbly require your grace of your favor herein ; and also to 
intreat the king's majesty most humbly on my behalfe, for his 
princely favor in this matter, the which I cannot forsake." " Loe 
Sirs," quoth the cardinall unto us, "ye may see what wisdome is 
in this willfull boies heade. I thought when thou heardest me 
declare the king's pleasure and intendment herein, that thou 
wouldest have relented, and put thyselfe and thy voluptuous acte 
wholly to the king's will and pleasure, and by him to have been 
ordered, as his grace should have thought good." " Sir," quoth 
the lorde Piercie, u so I would, but in this matter I have gone so 
far, before many worthy witnesses, that I know not how to dis- 
charge my selfe and my conscience." " Whie, thinkest thou," 
saide the cardinall, " that the king and I know not what we have 
to doe, in as weighty a matter as this ? Yes (quoth he), I warrant 
thee. But I can see in thee no submission to the purpose." 
" Forsothe, my lord," quoth the lord Peircy, "if it please your 
grace, I will submit myself wholly unto the king's majestie, and 
to your grace in this matter, my conscience being discharged of 
the weighty burthen thereof." " Well then," quoth the cardinall, 
" I will send for your father out of the North ' partes, and he and 
we shall take suche order in this matter as shall be thought by 
the king most convenient. And in the meane season, I charge 
that thou resort no more into her company, as thou wilt abide the 

1 Out of the North. ,] Northumberland had been appointed, shortly before, 
warden of the whole Marches, an office which he soon resigned. On or about 
the 20th of October in 1523 he joined Surrey, who was then levying a force 
against the duke of Albany. Albany made his sudden retreat before Surrey 
on the 3rd November following. 

o — 6 



king's indignation. " And therewith he rose up, and went his way 
into his chamber. 

i Then was the Earle of Northumberland sent for in the king's 
name, who upon the receit of the king's letters, made all the 
spede that he could unto the king, out of the north. At his 
comyng, first he made his resorte unto my lord cardinall, as most 
commonly did all other noble personages that were sent for in 
such sorte, at whose hands they were advertised of the cause of 
their sending for. But when the earle was come to my lord, he 
was brought incontinent unto him in his gallery. After whose 
meeting my lord cardinall and he were in secret communication a 
long space. And after their long talke, and drinking of a cup of 
wine, the earle departed. And in going his way, he sat down at 
the galleries ende in the halfe pace upon a forme that was stand- 
ing there for the wayter's ease. And being there set called his 
sonne unto him, we standing before him, and said thus in effecte 
unto him. '\Sonne," quoth he, " even as thou art, and allwaies 
hast bin a proude licentious disdainfull and a very unthrifty waster 2 , 
so hast thou now declared thyselfe. Wherefore what joy, what 
comforte, what pleasure or solace shall I conceive of thee, 
that thus without discretion hast misused thyselfe, having neither 
regard unto me thy naturall father, nor unto thy naturall sove- 
raigne lorde, to whom all subject es loyall beare faithfull obe- 



2 Unthrifty waster .] "This earl hath been called ' Henry the unthrifty.' " 
. . . . " But when he found the attainder of his brother and his family un- 
avoidable (in 1537), in the last moments of his life he bequeathed all his 
estates to the king, probably by the wise forecast of some eminent lawyers, 
by whom he appears to have been directed (from his own letters), in order 
that the great family estates, being vested in the crown, might be capable at 
some future period of being restored to his heirs, in which expectation he 
was not disappointed." Collins, by Brydges, ii. 314. 



O- 



-o 



dience ; ne yet to the wealth of thine owne estate, but hast so 
unadvisedly assured thy selfe unto her, for whome thou hast pur- 
chased the king's highe displeasure, intolerable for any subject 
to sustaine ? And but that his grace doeth consider the lightness 
of thy head, and wilful qualities of thy person, his displeasure and 
indignation were sufficient to cast me and all my posterity into 
utter mine and destruction. But he being my singular good and 
favorable prince, and my lord eardinall my good lord, hath and 
doeth clearely excuse me in thy leaud fact, and doeth rather 
lament thy lightness, than maligne me for the same ; and hath 
devised an order to be taken for thee ; to whom bothe thou and I 
be more bound than we be able well to consider. I pray to God 
that this may be unto thee a sufficient admonition to use thy selfe 
more wisely hereafter : for that I assure thee, if thou doest not 
amend thy prodegallity, thou wilt be the last earle of our house. 
For of thy naturall inclination thou art disposed to be wastefull 
and prodigall, and to consume all that thy progenitors have with 
great travaile gathered and kept together with honor. But having 
the king's majesty my singular good and gracious lord, I trust, I 
assure thee, so to order my succession, that ye shall consume 
thereof but a little. For I doe not entend, I tell the truth, to 
make thee mine heire ; for, thanks be to God, I have more boies, 
that I trust will prove much better, and use themselves more like 
unto wise and honest men : of whome 1 will chuse the most 
likely to succede me. Nowe good masters and gentlemen," (quoth 
he unto us,) " it may be your chaimces hereafter, when I am 
deade, to see these things that I have spoken to my sonne prove 
as true as I spake them. Yet in the meane season, I desire you 
all to be his friends, and to tell him his fault, when he doeth 
amisse, wherein you shall shew yourselves friendly unto him. 

O 



o a 

CARDINAL WOLSEY. 57 

And here" (quoth he), "I take my leave of you. And sonne, 
go your waies in to my lorde your master, and attend upon him, 
according to thy duty." And so he departed, and went his waye 
downe the hall into his barge. 

(Then after long consultation and debating in this the lord 
Percies late assurance, it was devised that the same should be 
infringed, and dissolved, and that the lord Piercy should marry 
one of the earle of Shrewsburies daughters. And so he did 
indeede after all this 3 ; by meanes whereof the former contract 
was dissolved ; wherewith Mistress Anne Bulleine was greatly 
offended, promising if it ever lay in her power, she would worke 
much displeasure to the cardinall ; as after she did in deede. And 
yet was he not in blame altogether ; for he did nothing but by 
the king's devised commaundement. And even as my lord Piercy 
was commanded to avoide her company, so she was discharged of 
the courte, and sent home to her father for a season ; whereat \ 



3 And so he did indeede after all this.'] *' We know not the exact date of the 
marriage of the young Percy to Mary Talbot : but I possess the copy of a 
letter from the earl of Surrey to lord Darcy, 'scribbled the 12th day of 
September/ in the year 1523, in which lord Surrey, having stated that he 
forwarded to him a letter from the cardinal, adds — c the marriage of my 
lorde Percy shal be w l my lorde steward's doghter, wherof I am right glade, 
and so I am sure ye be. Now the cheff baron [John Fitzjames] is with my 
lorde of Northumberland to conclude the marriage.' We may therefore safely 
infer that it took place about the end of 1523 or the beginning of 1524: another 
proof that the historians who place the return of Anne in the year 1527 are 
in error." Lingard, vi. 112. '<Nor did the marriage prove happy, for she 
was delivered of a dead child ; nor had ever any issue that survived. And in\ 
the latter part of his life, he lived in a state of separation from her : drooping 
with a broken constitution, till the execution of his brother, and the attainder 
of his family, seem to have put an immediate end to his life, for he died (30 
June, 1537) in the very same month in which his brother was executed." 
Collins, by Brydges, ii. 313. 

© . 6 



© o 

58 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

she smoked : for all this while she knew nothing of the king's 
entended purpose. 

But ye may see, when fortune beginneth to lower, how she can 
compasse a matter of displeasure by a faire fetche. For no we, 
marke the grudge ho we it began, that in processe of time wrought 
the cardinalls undoing. — -0 Lorde, what a God art thou ! that 
workest thy secrets so wonderfully, that they be not perceived till 
they be brought to passe and finished. Marke this story following, 
good reader, and note every circumstance, and then shalt thou 
espy at thine eye a wonderfull worke of God, against such persons 
as forget God and his great benefits ! Mark therefore, I say, and 
consider them well ! 

After these my lord Percies troublesome matters brought unto 
a good stay, and all things done that before were devised, Mistress 
Anne Bulleine was revoked unto the court, whereas she florished 
after in great estimation and favour ; having allwaies a privy 
grudge against my lord cardinall, for breaking of the contract 
made betweene my lord Peircy and her, supposing that it had bin 
his devised will and none other, nor yet knowing the kings secret 
mind thoroughly, who had a great affection unto her, more than 
. she knewe. But after she knewe the kings pleasure, and the 
bottom of his secret stomacke, then she began to looke very 
haughty and stoute, lacking no manner of Jewells, or riche 
apparrel, that might be gotten for money. It was therefore 
judged by and bye through the court of every man, that she 
being in such favour, might worke masteries with the king, and 
obteine any suite of him for her friend. 

All this while, she being in this estimation in all places, it 
is no doubt but good queene Katherine, having this gentlewoman 
dayly attending upon her, both hearde by reporte, and sawe with 

6 — . o 



©- 



CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



59 



her eyes 4 , how it framed against her good ladyshippe : although 
she shewed neither unto Mistress Anne Bulleine, ne unto the 
king, any kinde or sparke of grudge or displeasure ; but accepted 
all things in goode parte, and with wisdome and great pacience 
dissimuled the same, having Mistress Anne in more estimation 
for the kings sake, than she was with her before, declaring her 
selfe to be a very perfect Grisell 5 , as her patient actes shall 
hereafter more evidently to all men be declared. 

i The king waxed soe farre enamoured with this gentlewoman, 
that he knewe not how much he might advaunce her. This per- 
ceiving the great lordes of the counsell, who bearing a secret 
grudge against my lord cardinall, for that they could not rule for 
him, as they would, in the world, because he bare all the stroake 



4 Both hearde by reporte, and sawe with her eyes.'] It is clear that for how- 
ever long a time Katharine may have suspected or known of Henry's love 
for Anne Boleyn, she was ignorant until shortly before Wolsey's embassy to 
France in 1527 of his intention to institute measures for a divorce from her- 
self. On the 15th July secretary Knight writes to Wolsey that "Francoise 
Philip, Spagniard, server unto the quene " desired to go to Spain, but that 
the queen refused him leave. Henry believed this refusal to be feigned, 
gave him leave and safe conduct, desiring Wolsey to do the same; but 
Knight adds : — " His pleasure ys, and allso he desireth and prayeth your 
grace to use such policie, as notwithstanding any salve conduct that the 
said Philip shall obteigne, ether by your graces meanes, or any other of the 
Frensh king, he may be let, empesched, and deteigned in sum quartier of 
Fraunce, so that it be not in any wyse knowen, that the said lett, arrest, or 
deprehension, should cum by the king, by your grace, or any of the kinges 
subgectes. The kinges highnesse doith perceyve, that the queene is thoonly 
cawse of this mannys goyng into Spaigne, as he that is and hath bene allways 
prive unto the quene hir affaires and secretes." St. Pap. i. 215. This was 
probably an attempt on the part of Katharine to communicate with the em- 
peror her nephew on the subject of the intended divorce. 

5 Perfect Grisell.'] See Chaucer, Clerk of OxenforoVs Tale, which is founded 
upon an incident first told by Boccacio, and afterwards by Petrarca. 

i 2 



O- 



Q 



p — © 

60 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

with the king, and ruled as well the great lordes, as all other 
meane subjects, they took an occasion to invent a meane to 
bringe him out of the kings estimation, and themselves into more 
authority of rule and governaunce. After long and secret con- 
sultation amongst themselves, howe to bringe this malice towards 
the cardinall to effect, they knew right well that it was very 
difficile for them to doe it directly of themselves. Wherefore 
they perceiving the great affection and love that the king bare to 
Mistress Anne Bulleine, supposing in their fantasies that she 
should be for them an apt instrument to bring their long desired 
intents to passe, consulted often with her in this matter. And 
she having bothe a very good wit, and also an inward grudge and 
displeasure unto my lord cardinall, was alwaies agreeable to their 
requestes, as they were themselves. Wherefore there was no 
more to doe, but only to imagine any occasion to worke their 
malice by 'some presented circumstance. Then were there dayly 
invented among them diverse imaginations and subtle devises, 
how the matter should be brought about. The enterprize thereof 
was so dangerous, that though they would fain have attempted 
the matter with the king, yet they durst not ; for they knewe the 
great zeal that the king bare to the cardinall, and also they feared 
the wonderful wit of the cardinall. For this they knewe very 
well, that if the matter that they should propose against him 
were not grounded upon a just and urgent cause, the kings favor 
was such towardes him, and his wit suche withall, that he would 
with pollicy vanquish all their purpose and travaile, and then 
lye in a-wait to worke them an utter destruction and eversion. 
They were compelled, all things considered, to forbeare the 
enterprize until they might espy a more convenient time and 
occasion. 

6 ; O 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 61 

And yet the cardinall, espying the great zeale that the king 
had conceived in this gentlewoman, ordered himselfe to please as 
well the king as her, dissimuling the matter that lay hid in his 
breast, and prepared great banquettes and high feastes to enter- 
taine the kinge and her at his owne house. And thus the world 
beganne to grow to wonderfull inventions, not heard of before 
in this realme. Love betwixt the king and this gorgeous lady, 
grewe to such a perfection, that diverse imaginations were 
imagined, whereof I leave here to speake, untill I come to the 
place where I may have more occasion. 

(Then 6 began a certaine grudge 7 to breake out betweene the 
French king and the duke of Bourbonne, insomuche as the duke, 
being vassaile to the house of Fraunce, was compelled for the 
safeguard of his life to flee and forsake the country, doubting 
the king's malice and indignation. The cardinall, having intelli- 
gence of the case chaunced betweene them, compassed in his 
head, that if the king our soveraigne lorde could obtain him to be 
his general in the warres against the French king, with whome 
the king our master had an occasion of warres, and considering 
further that the duke of Bourbon was fled unto the emperor, to 
invite him to like purpose : wherefore he having this imagination 

6 Then.] In 1523. 

7 A certaine grudge.'] Arising from the intrigues of Louise of Savoy, 
duchess of Angouleme, the king's mother, whose advances were slighted 
by the duke, and who in revenge deprived him by an unjust process of law, 
as he believed, of his estates. Bourbon considered himself not only aggrieved 
but affronted, an indignity which he could not brook. Brantome relates, 
that in reply to the king's message, demanding from him the sword of con- 
stable of France and his order, the duke answered, "For the constable's 
sword, — it was taken from me at Valenciennes, when the king gave the com- 
mand of the van, which was my right, to the duke d'Alencon ; for the order, — 
I left it hanging at my bed's head at Chantel le Chatel." 

6 Q 



o — — o 

62 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



in his head thought it good to move the king in the matter. 
And after the king was once advertised hereof, and conceived the 
cardinalFs invention, he dreamed more and more in the same, 
untill at the last it came to a consultation amongst the council, so 
that it was concluded that an embassaye should be sent to the 
emperor about this matter ; with whom it was concluded that the 
king and the emperor should join in those warres against the 
French king, and that the duke of Bourbon should be our 
soveraigne lordes champion and general in the field, who had a 
great nomber of good souldiours, over and besides the emperors 
army which was not small ; and that the king should paye unto 
the duke monthly wages 8 , both for himselfe and his retinue. In 
so muche as Sir John Eussel, who was after made earle of Bed- 
forde, lay continually beyond the seas, in a secret place, both to 
receive money of the king, and to paye the some monthly 
unto the duke. So that the duke began the warres with the 
French king in his owne territory and dukedome, which the king 
had confided in his owne hands * ; it being not perfectly knowne 
unto the dukes enemies, that he had any ayde of our soveraigne 
lord. And thus he wrought the French king much displeasure 
and trouble, in so much that the French king was constrained to 
prepare a puissant army, and in his own person to resist the 

8 Monthly wages. ,] 100,000 crowns a month, or else to make a powerful 
diversion in Picardy. The first month only was paid, and an expedition set 
on foot against France. Charles Brandon, duke of Suffolk, headed a force of 
13,000 men, which, joined with the Imperialists, took Bouchain, Bray^ 
Montdidier, Roye, and advanced within forty miles of Paris, but retreated 
rapidly to Calais on the approach of the duke of Vendome and the Sire de la 
Trimouille at the head of a superior force. 

1 Owne hands.'] The constable Bourbon also laid siege to Marseilles, but was 
obliged to retire. 

c— O 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 63 

dukes power. And with force the king drave him to take Pavia, 
a strong town in Italy, with his host, for their security ; whereas 
the king encamped him wonderously strong, intending to enclose 
the duke within this towne, that he should not issue forth. Yet 
notwithstanding the duke would and did many times issue forth, 
and skirmishe with the king. 

Nowe let us leave the king in his campe before Pavia, and 
retourne to the lord cardinall, who seemed to be more French 
than Imperiall 2 . — But ho we it came to passe, I cannot declare 

2 More French than Imperiall.'] " For great and reasonable causes." See the 
private article, dated 18 Nov. 1525, following the treaty of the Moore (p. 
66. note). 

Wolsey had been greatly disappointed at the end of 1521, when Leo X. 
died. He hoped to have been chosen pope, but Adrian Florent, the tutor of 
Charles V., was elected. At the death of Adrian VI. in 1523, Wolsey's 
hopes were renewed, and he looked for the Imperial interest : either it was 
withheld, or was not strenuously exerted on his behalf; for Giulio de' Medici 
was elected pope as Clement VII. It is certain that Wolsey strongly re- 
sented this, and his after enmity against Charles V. was bitter. It sometimes 
even broke out in words. "His majestie [the emperor Charles V.] seyd 
aliso that your grace hath namyd hym to be a lyar, observing no maner off 
feith or promesse, my lady Margarete a ribawde ; Don Fernando, his brodyr, 
a childe, and so governid ; the duke off Burbon a creature. And this re- 
porte was browghte be Monsr. de Bewreyne, now called Monsr. de Rieux, at his 
last being in England. When he desired eyde off the kings highnesse for 
Monsr. de Burbon of ij. c. m a . ducats ffor his entree into Burgendie, afftir 
the presence off the Ffrence king in Italia, then he seyd, that your grace aun- 
sword that the kings highnesse had othir things to doo with his money, than 
to spend it ffor the pleasor off such iiij. personages, expressing the forseyd 
words." (Letter from the bishop of London (Cuthbert Tunstall), Sir Rd. 
Wingfield, and Dr. Rd. Sampson, Engl. Ambrs. in Spain. Dat. Toledo, 2 June 
(1525). Ill Ellis, ii. 12.) The battle of Pavia, which placed Francis I. as a 
captive in the emperor's hands, rendered it no longer necessary for that mo- 
narch to court Wolsey as before ; and Wolsey himself had been gained over 
by Giovanni Gioacchino di Passano, and had bound his fortunes in the 
French alliance. 

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unto you : but the French king lying in his campe, sent secretly 
into England a privy person, a very witty man, to entreat of a 
peace betweene the king of Fraunce, and our soveraigne lord. 
This person was named John Jokin 3 , who was kept as secretly 



What the opinion of the emperor was, may be judged by the indignant 
answer which he returned to Thomas Benolt, Clarencieux Herald, who, in 
Jan. 1528, carried Henry's defiance to him. Charles sums up Wolsey's 
conduct for two or three years, and adds : " en ce cas auroit plus juste cause 
sa majeste de faire la guerre au dit roy vostre dit maistre, quelle foy, quelle 
religion, quelle conscience, quel honneur il auroit devant ses yeulx, et 
donneroit assez a cognoistre l'intention qu'il auroit eu de bailler sa fille en 
mariage a sa majeste, s'il tendoit a la faire bastarde, combien que sa ma- 
jeste ne peult, comme est dit, bien croire qu'il se laissast conduire a chose de 
si mauvaise exemple, s'il n'estoit par sinistre ou mauvaise information du car- 
dinal d'YorJc, lequel, par son ambition et cupidite, et pour ce que sa majeste 
n'a voulu employer son armee d'ltalie a faire le dit cardinal pape par force, 
comme luy avoitfait requerir par lettres de sa main, ny satisfere a son orgueil, 
ambition et convoitise, s'est plusieurs fois vante qu'il mettroit les affaires de sa 
majeste en tel brouillis, qu'il ne fut veu telle brouillerie en cent ans, et le 
brouilleroit de sorte qu'il s'en repentiroit, encoires que le royaume d'Angleterre 
se deust perdre*, que se ainsi estoit que le dit roy se laissast conduire a croire 
le mauvais conseil du dit Cardinal, ce seroit le vray chemin pour y parvenir, 
et seroit le vray brouillis qu'il y avoit mis, qu'il ne sauroit apres appaiser. 
Et par toutes les justifications avant dictes, lesquelles Dieu, qui est le juste 
juge et cognoist les cueurs d'hommes, pourra myeulx considerer que les 
aultres, et espere sa majeste que la divine clemence ne luy fauldra a sa justice 
et a la defension de sa juste cause, comme a fait du passe : et puis qu'il 
cognoist ceux qui ont bonne inclination a la paix, ne fait a, doubter que en 
son temps il le baillera a ceux qu'ils seront de bonne voulunte ; et proteste sa 
majeste devant Dieu et tout le monde que tous les maulx, dommages et 
interests que des dites guerres se pourront ensuyr, soient a la coulpe et 
charge de qui en est cause." Le Grand, hi. 45. 

3 John Jokin.~] Of Giovanni Gioacchino de' signori di Passano very little 
is as yet known by English writers, although the transactions in which he was 
engaged are of importance to our history. There is no doubt that he was a 
great agent in the change of Wolsey's policy, and that he was the means of 
much secret communication between the cardinal and Francis, as well as 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 65 

as might be, no man having intelligence of his repaire ; for he 
was no French-man borne, but an Italian, a man of no great 

between the cardinal and Louise of Angouleme, Francis' mother. So far 
from being a mere adventurer, G. G. di Passano was the head of a noble 
family of Genoa, various members of which had filled high offices in that 
republic. In 1512 he himself had been engaged by the state to negotiate a 
reconciliation between Pope Julius II. and the duke of Urbino ; and soon 
after, when Ottaviano Fregoso was made doge of Genoa, Passano was nomi- 
nated captain general of the galleys. He was then sent to Rome to forward 
the elevation of Innocenzo Cibo to the purple, and by the pope he was ap- 
pointed captain of the papal galleys. He was taken prisoner in an engage- 
ment with the Turks, and thereby lost both of his naval commands. On his 
liberation he was employed in a military capacity, and took the fortress delta 
Lanterna at Genoa, which had been built by Louis XII. to overawe the city. 
He afterwards distinguished himself, under that monarch, in the campaign of 
1515, having, with 4000 men under his command, besieged and taken Ales- 
sandria. In 1516 and 1518 he entered into politics, being sent by the repub- 
lic of Genoa as ambassador to Francis I., to justify their acquisitions in the 
war. His negotiations during this period of his life have been printed at 
Casale. He gave great satisfaction to Francis, who conferred on him the 
barony of Vaux in Dauphiny (which was afterwards erected into a marquisate 
for his son), and also gave him an augmentation to his arms, viz. Azure a lion 
crowned, and in chief three fleurs de lis, or. Francis invariably addressed him 
by the title of Sieur de Vaulx. Another change soon took place in Passano's 
fortunes ; for the Adorni obtained the chief power in Genoa, Fregoso was 
deposed from the ducal dignity and imprisoned ; and, consequently, Passano's 
functions in France ceased. He was, however, taken into Francis' own ser- 
vice, made master of the household to Louise of Savoy, the king's mother, 
and " sent secretly into England," and as a " merchant-man," in the latter 
part of 1 524, to make Wolsey " more French" and to work in favor of Francis, 
then about to invade Italy. On his return to France he was appointed com- 
missary-general, and he was on his way to the army in Italy, when he was de- 
tained at Lyons by Louise : whilst he was there, the battle of Pavia took place. 
Passano was again sent secretly to England, and as on his own account, by 
Louise, regent of France during her son's captivity. He succeeded in his 
negotiations with Wolsey, and Brinon was sent to join him, in June, when 
Passano assumed his proper character as an accredited envoy. The treaty of 
the Moore was concluded on the 30th August, 1525. Passano did not then 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



estimation in France, or knowne to be much in his master's 
favor, but to be a merchant-man, and for his subtil wit elected to 
intreat of suche embassage as the French king had given him in 
commission. This Jokin was secretly conveyed unto Eichmond, 
and there remained till the eardinall resorted thither unto him, 
where, after Easter term was ended, he kept his feast of Whit- 
sontide 4 very solemnely. In which season my lord eardinall 
caused divers times this Jokin to dine with him, who seemed to 
be bothe witty, and of good behaviour. Thus continued this 
Jokin in England long after, until at laste, as it should seeme, he 
had brought to passe 5 the matter he had in commission. After 

stay long in England, but he was accredited anew in March, 1526, and he 
remained until, in conjunction with Gramont (bishop of Tarbes), Turenne, and 
Le Viste, he had concluded the treaty of the 30th April, 1527- He then 
returned to France, and was one of the negotiators with Wolsey for the treaty 
of Amiens, in August, 1527. Later in that year, whilst Lautrec (Odet de 
Foix) was in command of the French forces in Italy, Passano was sent, as 
Francis' commissioner, to the pope, and was created count of Carinola. After 
much employ in Italy, where he declined to accept a cardinal's hat, which is 
said to have been asked for him both by Henry and Francis, he was again 
accredited in February, 1530, as ambassador to England, where he remained 
till 1534, when he finally returned to France. The city of Genoa, to which 
he had been a great benefactor, erected a statue to him in his life time, and 
high testimonies of honor were paid to him by others. He died in 1551, 
aged 86. 

4 Whitsontide.~] Easter-day was April 1 6th, Whitsunday June 4th, 1525. 

5 Brought to passe J] Embodied in six treaties, signed on the 30th August, 
1525, at the Moore, near Rickmansworth, where Wolsey then resided, by 
Jean Brinon, seigneur de Villaynes, premier president of the parliament of 
Rouen, and G. G. de Passano, seigneur de Vaux, on the part of the regent of 
France, Louise of Savoy ; and by Wolsey, Norfolk, and others, on the part of 
Henry. These treaties were ratified by Francis on the 27th December. A 
private article, dated 18th November, 1525, bound the regent to pay to 
Wolsey the arrears of the pension of 12,000 frs., assigned to him in 1518, as 
indemnity for the loss of the bishopric of Tournay, and, in addition, the sum 
of 100,000 crowns of gold " for great and reasonable causes." 



this there was sent out immediately restraint unto sir John 
Russell 6 , into those partes where he made his abiding beyound 
the seas, that he should retaine that monthes wages still in his 
handes, (untill the king's pleasure were to him knowen) which 
should have bin paide unto the duke of Burbon, being then 
with his retinue encamped within the towne of Pavia ; for want 
whereof at his day, the duke and his men were sore dismaide, 
when they sawe there was not money brought, as it was wont to 
be. And being in so dangerous a case, and where victuals began 
to be scant, and very deare, they imagined many waies what 
should be the lett. Some sayd this, and some sayd that ; so 
that they mistrusted nothing lesse than the very cause thereof. 
In so much as at the last, what for want of victualls and other 
necessaries, which they could not get within the towne, the 
souldiers and captaines began to grudge and mutter ; and at the 
last, for lack of victualls, were like all to perish. 

: The souldiers, being in this extremity, came before the captaine, 
the duke of Bourbonn, and saide, " Sir, we must be, of very 
force and necessity, constrained to yield us up to our enemies. 
And better it were for us so to doe, than to starve like dogges." 
When the duke sawe their extremities, he said unto them with 
weeping eyes, " Sirs," quoth he, "ye are bothe valiant men and 
of noble heartes, who have served me here right worthily. And 
for your necessity, whereof I am participant, I doe not a little 
lament it. But I shall desire you, as ye are noble in heart and 
courage, so to take pacyence for a day or twaine ; and if succour 
come not then from the king of England, as I doubt nothing that 
he will deceive us, I will well agree, that we shall all put ourselves 

6 Russell.'] See a long letter from Russell to Henry VIII. in Sir Henry 
Ellis's Original Letters, second series, vol. i. p. 297- 

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and our lives into the mercy of our enemies :"" wherewith they 
were all agreeable. And tarrying and expecting the coming of 
the king^s money, untill the terme of two daies was past, the 
duke seeing no remedy, called his noble captaines and soul- 
diours before him, and weeping saide, "(Ye noble men and 
companions, I see no remedy in this necessity, but either we 
must yield us unto our enemies, or else famishe. And to 
yeald the towne and ourselves, I know well the misery of 
our enemies. As for my part I passe not for their cruelties, 
for I knowe very well I shall suffer death most cruelly, if I come 
once in their hands. It is not for my selfe therefore that I 
doe lament ; but it is for your sakes ; it is for your own lives, and 
safeguard of your persons. For so that ye might escape the 
daunger of enemies hands, I would gladly suffer death. There- 
fore, good companions and noble souldiors, I shall require you 
all, considering the dangerous misery and calamity that we stand 
in at this present,. to sell our lives most dearely, rather than to be 
murdered like beastes. If ye will be agreeable, we will take upon 
us this night to give our enemies an assault, and by that meanes 
we may either escape, or else give them an overthrow. And 
thus it were better to die in the field like men, than to live 
as prisoners in captivity and misery." To the which they all 
agreed. 

Then quoth the duke, "VYe perceive that our enemies campe 
is stronge, and that there is no way to enter upon them but one, 
and that entery is so planted with great ordinance, and strength 
of men, that it is not possible to attaine to our enemies that way 
to fight with them in their campe. And also, now of late ye 
perceive they have had but small doubt of us, insomuch that they 
have kept but very slender watch. Therefore my device shall be 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 69 



this. There shall issue out of the towne, about the dead time of 
the night, from us a nomber of you that be of the most likeliest 
to assault their campe ; and they shall give the assault right 
secretly, even directly against the place of the entry, which is 
very stronge and invincible. Your force and valiant assault shall 
be to them of the campe so doubtfull, that they will torne their 
strength of the entry that lyeth over against your assault, to 
beate you from your purpose. Then will I issue out of the pos- 
terne gate, and come to the place of their strength newly turned, 
and there, or they be ware, will I enter and fight with them in 
their campe, and winne their ordinance, which they have newly 
turned, and beat them with their own pieces. And then may 
you come and joine with me in the field." This device pleased 
them wondrously well. Then prepared they all that day for the 
purposed device, and kept them secret and close, without any 
noise or shot of pieces in the towne, which gave their enemies 
the lesse feare of the assault, but at night went to their tentes, 
and couched quietly, nothing mistrusting that which after hap- 
pened to them. 

When the time came that all men were at rest, the assailants 
issued out of the towne, and there, according to their appoint- 
ment, they gave so cruel and fierce assault, that they in the 
campe had as much to doe as was possible to resist them ; and 
even as the duke declared before to his souldiers, they within 
were compelled to turne their shot, that lay at the entry, against 
the assailants. With that issued out the duke, and with him 
about fifteen or sixteen thousand men or more, secretly in the 
night, his enemies being not privy of his coming until he was 
entered the field. And at his entry he took all the ordinance 
that lay there, and slew the gunners. Then he charged the 

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70 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

pieces against his enemies, and slew them wonderfully. He cut 
down the tents and pavilions, and murdered many within them, 
or they were ware of his coming, suspecting nothing lesse than 
his entry ; so that he won the field or ever the king could arise 
to the rescue ; insomuch as the king was taken in his lodging or 
ever he was harnessed. And when the duke had obtained the 
field, and the French king was taken, and his men slaine, his 
tents were robbed and spoiled, which were wonderous riche. 
And in the spoile, and search of the king's coffers, the duke 
Bourbonn found the league 7 , under the great seale of England, 
newly made betweene the king of England and the French king : 
which once perceived by him, he began to smell the impediment 
of his money, which should have come to him from the king. 
Having upon the due search of the matter further intelligence, 
that all the matter was devised by the cardinall of England, the 
duke conceived such an indignation hereupon against the cardi- 
nall, that he went incontinent unto Rome, and there intended to 
sack the towne, and to have taken the pope : where, at the first 
assault of the walles, the duke was the first man that was there 
slaine 8 . Yet, notwithstanding his captaines continued their 
assault, and at the last the towne was taken, and the pope fled 
unto the castle of Angell, where he continued long in calamity. 

1 1 have written this history more at large, because it was 
thought the cardinall was the chiefest occasion of all this mis- 
chief. Wherefore ye may perceive that whatsoever a man doeth 

7 The league.'] No league existed in February, 1525, but it is very probable, 
nay evident, that Bourbon found proofs of Passano's intrigues with Wolsey 
on behalf of Francis, which began in the autumn of 1524. 

8 Slaine.'] Benvenuto Cellini says that his hand fired the shot which killed 
the duke, 6th of May, 1527. Between the battle of Pavia and the taking of 
Rome more than two years had elapsed. Memoirs, transl. by Nugent, i. 120. 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 71 

purpose, be he prince or prelate, yet notwithstanding God dis- 
poseth all things at his will and pleasure. Wherefore it is great 
folly for any wise man to take upon him any weighty enterprize 
at his owne wit, without calling upon God for his grace and 
assurance in all his doings and proceedings. 

I have seen that princes when they would either call a parlia- 
ment, or any other great assembly, that they would first most 
reverently call to God for his grace therein. And now I see the 
contrary. /As it seems they trust more to their owne wit and 
will, than they doe to God's grace, and even thereafter doe their 
matters often times take successe ; whereof not only in this 
history, but also in divers others may be perceived right evident 
examples. And yet I see no man almost in authority or high 
estate regarde the same ; the which is the greater pity, and the 
more to be lamented. — Nowe here I leave to shew any more of 
this matter, and will procede to others. 

(Upon the taking of the French king 9 many consultations and 
divers opinions were then devised among the council. Some held 
opinion that if the king our soveraigne lorde would invade the 
realme of France, he might easily conquer the same x , insomuch as 

9 The French king.'] The battle of Pavia was fought Feb. 24, 1525. 

1 Conquer the same.'] " I have heard that when the people be commanded to 
make fires and tokens of joy for the taking of the French king, divers of them 
have spoken that they have more cause to weep than to rejoice thereat. And 
divers, as it hath been shewn me secretly, have wished openly that the French 
king were at his liberty again, so as there were a good peace, and the king 
should not attempt to win France, the winning whereof should be more charge- 
ful to England than profitable, and the keeping thereof much more chargeful 
than the winning. Also it hath been told me secretly, that divers have 
recounted and repeated what infinite sums of money the king's grace hath 
spent already in invading France, once in his own royal person, and two other 
sundry times by his several noble captains, and little or nothing in comparison 
of his costs hath prevailed; insomuch that the king's grace at this hour 

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72 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

the king with the most part of the nobility of Fraunce were in 
captivity. Some sayd againe that the king our master ought to 
have had the French king prisoner, for as much as he was taken 
by the kings champion and generall captaine the duke of Burbonn, 
and not the emperor. So that the same moved the king to take an 
occasion of war against the emperor, because he kept the French 
king out of his possession, with divers other imaginations and 
devices, even as their fantasies served them, which were too long 
here to be rehearsed : but I leave it to the chroniclers that write 
stories. 

Thus were they in long consultations, whereof every man in the 
courte had talked as their fantasies served them ; untill at the 
last it was devised, by meanes of divers ambassadors 2 sent from 
the realmes of Fraunce unto the king our soveraigne lord, to 
take order with the emperor for the French kings deliverance, as 
his high wisdome could think best, wherein my lord cardinall 
bare a great stroke ; so that after longe deliberation and advice 

hath not one foot of land more in France than his most noble father had, 
which lacked no riches or wisdom to win the kingdom of France, if he had 
thought it expedient." Archbishop Warham to Wolsey, in Hallam's Const. 
Hist of England, i. 21. (4to. ed.) 

2 Ambassadors.'] Jean Brinon and Giov. Gioach. di Passano concluded the 
treaties of 30th Aug. 1525 (see p. 66). The next treaty, concluded 30th April, 
1527, was the result of a special mission from Francis, consisting of Gabriel 
de Gramont, bishop of Tarbes, Francois de la Tour, vicomte de Turenne, 
Antoine le Viste, premier president of the parliament of Paris, and G. G. di 
Passano. The chief negociator was Gramont, who, according to Henry VIII/s 
own statement, first, and at this time, infused doubts into his mind of the 
validity of his marriage with Katharine, by questioning the legitimacy of 
Mary. Gramont's letters, some of which may be seen in Le Grand, are in 
the Bibliotheque du Roi, at Paris. An account of the embassy, written by 
Claude Dodieu, seigneur de Vely, secretary to the ambassadors, is preserved 
in the British Museum. 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 73 



taken in this matter, it was thought good by my lord cardinall, 
that the emperor should deliver the French king out of his warde 
upon sufficient pledges. Then was it, upon his advice, thought 
meete that the kings two sonnes, that is to say, the Dolphin 3 
and the duke Orleance, should be delivered in hostage for the 
king their father ; which was in conclusion brought to passe. 
After the kings delivery out of the emperors bondage 4 , and 

3 Dolphin, &c] Francis, the dauphin, who was poisoned by Montecuculli 
in 1536, and Henry, duke of Orleans (who was afterwards Henry II.). On 
the death of his elder brother Francis, Henry became dauphin, and the duke- 
dom of Orleans devolved upon Charles, duke of Angouleme. 

4 Out of the emperors bondage.] He entered his own territories 17th of 
March, 1526. The arrival of Francis is thus described in a letter from Dr. 
John Taylor, then ambassador in France, written to Cardinal Wolsey from 
Bayonne, 18th of March, 1526. f Please it your grace to understand 
that the xv day of March, very late in "the evening by torch-light, my Lady 
Regent came into Bayonne, and was received with great triumph of gunshot. 
On the morrow after dinner I spake with her, and she desired me to have 
patience for ii or hi days, she was in such great anxiety for the sending forth 
of the dauphin and his brother, and for great desire to see the king her son, 
that she could attend to no other thing. But she assured me that as soon as 
the king was come, Mons. Joachyn should be despatched into England. The 
xvii day the dauphin and his brother were delivered into the hands of the 
Spaniards upon a bridge upon the river, called Andaye, betwixt Fontarabia 
and St. Jean de Luz, and betwixt ii and hi of the clock the same day the 
king was received into Bayonne with much shot of ordnance. Without the 
town a quarter of a mile I was accompanied with the chancellor (Du Prat) 
and many other spiritual men, by the command of my lady, and there abode 
the coming of the king ; and after that the chancellor had saluted the king, 
he shewed to him that I was the orator of England, the king took me in his 
arms, whom I saluted in this manner : ' Christianissime rex, ex parte sere- 
nissimi regis Anglice, defensoris fidei, domini mei potentissimi, ego congratulor 
tuce majestati in suum regnum salvo redituij plura dicturus loco et tempore 
magis opportunist His grace, with very favorable countenance, said how he 
would more at large speak with me, and he would never forget the goodness 
that he had found in the king's highness." — Ellis's Original Letters, 2nd 
series, vol. i. p. 33] . The orthography is here modernized. 

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74 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

his sonnes received in hostage for the emperors and the kings 
our soveraigne lordes security of all such demaunds and requestes 
as should be demaunded of the French king, as well as by the 
emperor as our soveraigne lorde, the cardinall, lamenting the 
French kings calamity, and the popes great adversity, who yet 
remained in the castle Angell, either as a prisoner or else for his 
defence against his enemies, travailed all that he could 5 with the 
king and his council to take some order for the quietness of 
them bothe. (At laste, as ye have hearde here before, how divers 
of the great estates and lordes of the council, with my lady Anne 
lay but in a-wait to espy a convenient time and occasion to take 
the cardinall in a brake, they thought it now a necessary time to 
cause him to take upon him the kings commission to travell 
beyond the seas in this matter, and by his high wit to compasse 
a perfect peace among these great princes and potentates ; and 
encouraging him thereunto alleged, that it was more meete for 
his high wit, discretion and authority, to bring so weighty a 
matter to passe, than any other man within this realme. Their 
intent was none other but, if they might, to get him from the 
king out of the realme ; then might they sufficiently adventure, 
by the helpe of their chief mistress, to deprave him unto the 

5 Travailed all that he could.'] These intrigues, in which the cardinal bore 
so large a part, did not redound to the glory of his country. Our merry 
neighbours even then had begun to make our diplomatic inferiority the sub- 
ject of their sport and ridicule. William Tindall, in his Practice of Popish 
Prelates, referring to these events, tells us, " The Frenchmen of late dayes 
made a play or a disguising at Paris, in which the emperour daunsed with the 
pope and the French king, and weried them, the king of England sitting on 
a hye bench, and looking on. And when it was asked, why he daunsed not, 
it was answered, that he sate there, but to pay the minstrels their wages onely : 
as who should say, wee paid for all mens daunting." — Tindall's Works, 
p. 375. a.d. 1572. 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 75 

kings highness, and so in his absence to bring him in displeasure 
with the king, or at the least to be of lesse estimation. — Well ! 
what will you have more ? This matter was so handled that the 
cardinall was commanded to prepare himselfe to this journey 6 ; 
which he toke upon him ; but whether it were with his good will 
or no, I am not able well to tell you. But this I knowe, that he 
made a short abode, after the perfect resolution thereof, but 
caused all things to be prepared onward toward his journey. And 
every one of his servants were appointed that should attend upon 
him in the same. 

When all things were concluded, and for this noble ambassage 
provided and furnished, then was there no more to doe but 
avaunce forwardes 7 in the name of Grod. My lord had with him 
such of the lordes and bishoppes and other worthy persons as 
were not of the counsel or conspiracy. 

\Then marched he forwarde from his owne house at West- 
minster through all London, over London Bridge, having before 
him a great number of gentlemen, three in a rank with velvet 
coates, and the most part of them with great chaines of gold 
about their neckes. And all his yeomen followed him with 
noblemens and gentlemens servaunts, all in orange tawny coates, 
with the cardinalls hat, and a T and a C, for Thomas Cardinall, 
imbrodered upon all the coates, as well of his owne servauntes, 
as all the rest of his gentlemens servauntes : and his sumpter 
mules, which were twentie or more in number. And when all his 

6 To prepare himselfe to this journey .] The instructions to Wolsey, who was 
formally appointed ambassador extraordinary to France on the 18th of June, 
are printed in the " State Papers," vol. i. p. 191, and are followed by much 
of the correspondence which took place during his mission. 

7 Avaunce forwardes. ,] He took leave of the king, July 3, 1527. Herbert, 
p. 205. 

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carriages and cartes and other of his traine were passed before, 
he rode like a cardinall very sumptuously with the rest of his 
traine. on his owne mule, with his spare mule and spare horse, 
trapped in crimson, velvet upon velvet, and gilt stirrups, following 
him. And before him he had his two great crosses of silver, his 
two great pillars of silver, the kings broad seale of England, and 
his eardinalls hat, and a gentleman carrying his valence (otherwise 
called his cloak bag) which was made of fine scarlet, altogether 
embrodered very richly with gold, having in it a cloake. Thus 
passed he forth through London ; as I said before ; and everie 
day on his journey he was thus furnished, having his harbingers 
in every place before, which prepared lodging for him and his 
traine. 

The first journey that he made was two miles beyond Dart- 
ford in Kent, unto Sir Richard Wilshires house 8 ; and the rest of 

8 Sir Richard Wilshires house.'] Who had been comptroller of Calais. His 
house, Stone Place, was seventeen miles from London, two miles beyond 
Dartford, and near Greenhithe. Wolsey slept there on the night of Wed- 
nesday, July 3, and he was met by Warham, archbishop of Canterbury, 
"with whom," he writes to Henry, " after communication had of your secrete 
matier, and such other thinges as have been hitherto doon therein, I shewed 
him howe the knowleage therof is cumme to the Quenes Grace, and howe 
displeasantly she takith it, and what your Highnes hath doon for the staying 
and pacification of her ; . . . . and soo proceding further with him in com- 
munication, I have sufficiently instructed him how he shall ordre himself, in 
case the Quene doo demaunde his counsail in the said matier : which myn 
advertisement he doth not oonly like, but also hath promised me to folowe 
the same accordingly." On the Thursday he lodged at Rochester, where he 
was entertained in the palace by bishop Fisher, with whom also he had a 
long conference. On Friday, the 5th, he arrived at Feversham, having given 
audience on the way to Hieronymus, count of Lasko, envoy from the Way- 
wode, John of Zapolia, who claimed the throne of Hungary after the death 
of his brother-in-law, Louis IT., and was opposed by the Palatine Stephen 
Bathori on the part of Ferdinand of Austria. The Waywode, in order to 

6 O 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 77 



his traine were lodged at Dartford, and in the country there- 
abouts. The next day he marched to Rochester, where he was 
lodged in the bishoppes pallace, and the rest of his traine were 
lodged in the citty, and in Stroud on this side of the bridge. 
The third day he rode from thence to Fevershame, and there 
was lodged in the abbey, and his traine in the towne there, and 
some in the country there abouts. The fourth day he rode to 
Canterbury, where he was encountred with the worshipful of the 
towne, and country, and lodged in the abbey of Ohrist-churche 
in the priors lodging. And all his traine were lodged in the city, 
where he continued three or foure daies ; in which season there 
was the jubilee, and a great faire in the towne, by the reason it 
was the feast of St. Thomas their patron. At which very day in 
the same abbey there was a solemne procession, wherein my lord 
cardinall then went, apparelled in his legantine ornaments with 
his hat upon his head : who commanded the monkes and the 
quier to sing to litany after this sort, Sancta Maria ora pro 
papa nostro Clemente, and in this manner perused the litany 
throughe, my lord cardinall kneeling at a stool before the quier 
dore, prepared for him with carpets and qusshions. All the while 
the monks and their quier stoode in the body of the churche 
singing this litany. At which time I sawe my lord cardinall 
weepe tenderly, which as I and other tooke it, was for the heavi- 
ness to see the pope in such calamity and danger of the launce 
knightes 9 . 

strengthen his position, wished to marry Renee of France, the sister-in-law of 
Francis. On Saturday, the 6th, Wolsey went to Canterbury, which he left on 
the 9th for Dover. He arrived at Calais on Thursday the 11th. Wolsey's 
journey for Henry VII. to Maximilian was made rather more rapidly. 

9 Launce knightes.'] Lanzen-Knechte, the German men-at-arms, called by 
the French Lansquenets. 



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78 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



The next day I was sent with letters from my lord cardinall 
unto Callice in post, insomuch as I was that same night at Oallice. 
And at my arrival I found standing upon the piere, without the 
lanterne gate *, all the council of the towne, to whom I declared 
my message, and delivered my letters or I entered the towne, 
where I lay till my lord came there, who arrived in the haven 2 
two daies after my coming, before eight of the clocke in the 
morning ; who was received with all the noble officers and coun- 
cil of the towne, the mayor of the towne, and the mayor of the 
staple in procession, the clerkes being in rich copes, and having 
many riche crosses. And in the lanterne gate a stool with 
carpets and qusshions was set for him, whereat he kneeled, and 
made his praiers. All which time they censed him with great 
censers of silver, and sprinkled holy water. That done they 
passed on before him in procession untill he came to St. Maries 
churche, where at the high altar, tourning him to the people, he 
gave them benediction and pardon. And then he repaired with 
a great nomber of noblemen and gentlemen, being peeres of the 
towne, unto a place called the Checquor 4 , where he lay after and 

1 Without the lanterne gate.~\ The principal entrance from the harbour. 
The modern gate, immortalised by Hogarth, was built about 1630 by D'Ar- 
gencour, the engineer, who was employed in cardinal Richelieu's time, when 
the new enceinte was made. The " Lanthern " was a common appellation 
given to one of the gates or towers of a place. We have noticed it at Genoa 
(see p. 65, note) : in the Tower of London, one of the towers still retains 
that name. 

2 In the haven.'] July 11, 1527. Herbert, 205. 

4 The Checquor.'] The Exchequer at Calais was a very extensive building, 
and had been fitted up a few years before, in 1520, for the reception of 
Henry VIII., with his queen Katharine, and Francis L, previous to the 
meeting at the field of the Cloth of Gold. A very large plan of " Thes- 
chaker," as thus prepared, is in the British Museum. No vestiges of the 
building now exist. 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 79 

kept his house, as long as he abode in the towne : going imme- 
diately to his naked bed, because he was somewhat troubled with 
sickness upon his passage upon the seas. 

That night unto this place called he unto him Mons. de Bees 6 , 
captaine then of Bullen, with a number of other gallant gentle- 
men who dined with him ; and after some consultation with my 
lord cardinall, he with the rest of the gentlemen departed againe 
to Bullen. Thus my lord was daily visited with one or other of 
the French nobility. 

Then when all his traine and his carryage was landed, and 
every thing prepared for his journey, his grace called all his 
noblemen and gentlemen, being servants, unto him into his privy 
chamber ; where they being all assembled before him, he saide : 
% I have called you hither to the intent to declare unto you, that 
I consider the duty ye bear unto me, and the good will that I 
semblably beare unto you for the same, seeing your intendment 
to further the authority that I have by commission ; which your 
diligent service I will have hereafter remember, and therefore I 
meane to declare the same directly mito the king ; secondly, to 
shew you the nature of the French men ; and thirdly, to shewe 
you how, and with what reverence ye shall use me for the high 
honor of the kings majesty, and then, to inform you howe ye shall 
entertaine and accompany the French men, when ye shall meet at 
any time. To the first point, ye shall understand that the kings 
majestie, for certaine weighty affairs of his graces, hath for more 
advauncement of his royal dignity, assigned me to be in this jour- 
ney his lieutenant ; and what reverence belongeth to the same I 
will tell you. For my parte I must, by virtue of my commission 



5 Mons. de BeesJ] Oudard du Bies, afterwards a marshal of France. 



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80 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



and of lieutenantship, assume and take upon me, to be esteemed 
in all honors and degrees of service, as to his highness^ presence is 
meete and due ; and that by me nothing be neglected, that to his 
royal estate is due and appurtenant. And for my parte ye shall 
see, that I will not omit one jot thereof. Therefore, because that 
ye should not be ignorant of your duty in this case, is one of the 
chief causes of this your assembly, willing you as you will have 
my favor, and also charging you all in the kings name, that ye doe 
not forget the same in time and place, but that every one of you 
do observe your duty to mee accordingly, as ye will at your 
returne avoide the king's indignation, or obtaine and deserve his 
highness' thanks, the which I will set forth> as each of you shall 
deserve. 

"■■No we to the second pointe : The nature of Frenchmen is 
suche, that at the first meeting they will be as familiar with you, 
as they had bine acquainted with you long before, and common 
with you in their French tongue 6 , as though you understoode 

6 In their French tongue.~\ The reader, probably, will be amused with the 
following anecdote (from a very scarce book), sufficiently illustrative of the 
present discourse of the cardinal, and, at the same time, very characteristic 
of the noble old English spirit of a veteran warrior, of the genuine blood of 
the Talbots. It was unquestionably the same George Talbot, earl of Shrews- 
bury, of whom Cavendish speaks, and who was born in 1471, and died in 
1541, aet. 70. Who the French ambassador was, is uncertain, but it probably 
was Guillaume du Bellay, seigneur de Langey, in 1533 ; at the last attempt to 
reconcile Henry with Clement VII. Lord Shrewsbury would then be 62. 
In 1518 the admiral Bonnivet had brought letters from Leo X., but the 
anecdote would not suit him, nor would the " greate age " suit the earl of 
Shrewsbury, who was then only 47. 

" I will tell you a tale by the waie which I heard of as wise a manne as 
ever ye be like to be, for ought that ye have yet uttered, and as naturall a 
manne to his countree of Englande in deede, as ye bragge to be in wordes, 
which stood e not full twentie foote off, when the matter was firste spoken 
and uttered. [" It 

6 ^ — O 



every worde ; therefore use them in like manner, and be as fami- 
liar with them as they be with you. If they speake in their 

<f It chaunced that there came a French ambassadour to the kynges high- 
nesse, kyng Henry the eight, (I truste God hath his soule ! ) with letters, I 
trowe, from the French kyng, not long before that, sent to hym from the 
holy father of Rome. This ambassadour sitting at the counsaile table beganne 
to sette up a stoute countenaunce, with a weake braine, and carped French 
excedingly fast, which he thought should have been his onely sufficient com- 
mendation of them all that were at the table, that he could speake so readily. 
The matter of his talke was universall every where. But the substaunce was 
partly much noting the gluttonie of Englishmen, which devoured so much 
vitaile in the lande ; partly, magnifying the greate utilitee and necessitee of 
the French tongue, which he noted to be almoste throughout the world fre- 
quented. And in his conference, he marveiled of diverse noble men that 
were present, for that they could not keepe him talke, or yet could not so 
much as understande hym, to perceive his gaie witte. Among the number 
of Lordes there, satte the old honourable capitain the Lorde Erie of Shrowes- 
burie, lookyng at his meate, and gave neither eare nor countenaunce to this 
jolie man, but gave other leave to talke, and sat, as he might, shakyng heade 
and hands in his palsey, whiche was testimonie enough whether he were not 
in his daies a warriour lying abrode in the fielde to take aire of the ground. 
This Frenche ambassadour was offended with hym, and said, 'What an 
honour were it for yonder olde noble man if he coulde speake the Frenche 
tongue ; surely it is a greate lacke to his nobilitie.' One of the lordes that 
kept hym talke, asking firste leave of this mon sire to report part of the 
communication to the Lorde Shrewesburie, made reporte thereof; yet in 
most courteous maner, with easie and favorable rehearsal, as might touch a 
truth. 

v When he heard it, where before his head by greate age was almoste gra- 
velyng on the table, he roused hym self up in suche wise that he appeared in 
length of bodie as much as he was thought ever in all his life before. And 
knittyng his browes, he laid his hande on his dagger, and set his countenaunce 
in suche sort that the French hardie ambassadour tourned coloure wonderfully. 
^Baieth the Frenche whoreson so,' saieth he, ' Marie tell the French dogge 
againe, by sweete sainct Cuthbert, if I knewe that I had but one pestilente 
French woorde in all my bodie, I would take my dagger and digge it out ] 
before I rose from the table. And tell that tawnie whoreson againe, how- 
soever he hath been hunger starved hym self at home in Fraunce, that if 

M 

A, 



naturall tongue, speake you againe to them in the Englishe 
tongue, for if you understande not then* no more shall they 
ttnderstande you™ And speaking merrily to one of the gentle- 
men there, being a Welshman, he saide, Ci piiche," quoth he, 
" speake thou Welche to him, and I doubt not but thy speache 
shall be more diffuse 7 to him than his Frenche shall be to thee : 
and thus,' 7 quoth he againe to us all, "let all your enterteinement 
and behaviour be according to the order of all gentleness and 
humanity, that ye may be reported, after our departure from 
hence, that ye be gentlemen of right good behaviour, and of 
much gentleuess, and that ye are men who knowe the duties to 
your soveraigne lorde, and to your master, esteeming much your 
great reverence. Thus shall ye not only obtaine to yourselves 
great commendation and praise for the same, but also advaunce 
the honor of your prince and country. 

" Nowe goe your waies being admonished of all these pointes, 
and prepare yourselves against tomorrow, for then we intend, God 
willing, to set forward. 17 And we his servauntes, being thus by 
him instructed and informed, departed every man to his lodging, 

we should not eate our beastes and make vitaile of them as faste as we doe, 
they would so encrease beyond measure, that thei would make vitaile of us 
and eate us up/ 

"When these woordes were repeated again to this French gest, he spoiled | 
no more vittaile at the dinner after that, but dranke wonderous oft. Which e 
whether it was his countenaunce, because he had left talkyng, or whether 
because he was inwardly drie, the reporter of this tale could tell me no fur- 
ther; but saied that his eye was never off hym, all that dinner while after." 
Defence of Priests' Marriages, p. 127 — 9. 4to. black letter. 

7 More diffuse.'] " Cool. Then answere me, What sayest thou to the 
blessed sacrament of the altar ? Tell me. 

"Jackson. I answered; it is a diffuse question, to aske meat the first 
dash, you promising to deliver me/' — Fox's Acts, p. 1769. See also p. 1574, 
"diffuse and difficult." 

O— 



making against the next day all things in a readinesse to avaunce 
forward with my lord cardinal!. 

The next morning 8 , being Mary Magdalens day, all things fur- 
nished, my lord cardinall advaunced out of Oallaise with such a 
number of black velvet coates as hath bin seldom sene with an 
ambassador. All the peeres of Calaise and Gruines, with all other 
gentlemen, besides his traine, being garnished in black velvet 
coates and chaines of gold. 

Thus passed he forward with his traine of gentlemen before 
him three in a ranke, which by supposall endured three quarters 
of a mile or more in length, having his crosses, and all other his 
accustomed and glorious furniture carried before him, even as I 
have before rehearsed, except the broade seale 9 , the which he left 

8 The next morning.'] Wolsey arrived at Calais, as we have seen, on 
Thursday the 11th of July: he remained there until Monday, Mary 
Magdalen's day, the 22nd, when he went to Boulogne; on the 23rd he 
went to Montreuil, and on the 24th to Abbeville. He stayed at Abbeville 
until Saturday the 3rd of August, when he proceeded to Picquigny, and on 
the 4th to Amiens. He was at Amiens for a month : on the 5th September 
he was at Compiegne, where he remained until Tuesday the 17th. On 
the 21st he was at Boulogne. He arrived at court, on the 30th Sept., at 
Allington. His despatches to Henry, during his residence in France, will be 
found in the " State Papers," vol. i. pp. 235 — 279. 

9 Except the hroade seale.'] In his former embassy Wolsey carried with him 
the great seal : 

" In the reign of Henry the Eighth the Lord Chancellor appears to have 
taken the great seal with him wherever he went, even when he quitted the 
realm : but he seems to have possessed the power of entrusting it to another 
person for a temporary purpose. Thus, secretary Pace informed Lord Chan- 
cellor Wolsey, who was at Calais in October, 1521, that the king said Trinity 
term might be kept, if he would send home the master of the rolls with the 
great seal for that purpose. (State Papers, vol. i. p. 70.) It being, however, 
determined to adjourn the term, in case the plague continued, the necessary 
writs were sent to Wolsey, to be sealed and returned to the king. (State 
Papers, vol. i. p. 76-)" — Sir Harris Nicolas's Remarks on the Great Seal, pre- 

m 2 



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84 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

in Callaise with master doctor Tailor *, then master of the rolles, 
untill his returne. Passing thus on his way, and being scantly 
ridden a mile, it begane to raine so vehemently, that I have not 
seene the like for the time ; which endured untill we came to 
Bullen; and ere we came unto Sandingfield, the cardinall of 
Loraine 2 , a goodly young gentleman, encountered my lord, and 
received him with great joye, and reverence, and so passed forthe 
with my lorde, in communication, until we came nighe unto the 
saide Sandingfield, which is a place of religion standing betweene 
the Englishe, Frenche, and Emperor's dominions, being a neuter, 
holding of neither of them. There awaited for him Le County 
Bryan 3 , capitaine of Picardie, with a great number of Stradiates 
or Arbenois *, standing in aray, in a great piece of green oates, all 

fixed to the Proceedings of the Privy Council, vol. vii. Mr. Singer would 
seem therefore to be in error, when he says that it was a violation of the laws 
to carry the great seal out of the king's dominions. 

1 Tailor.'] Dr. John Taylor, archdeacon of Buckingham, who himself was 
employed by Henry in political negotiations. 

2 Loraine.'] See note at p. 90. 

3 he County Bryan.] Philippe Chabot, count of Charny and Buzancois, 
seigneur de Brion, by which last name he was chiefly known. He was after- 
wards governor of Burgundy and Normandy, and admiral of France. He 
was at the battle of Pavia, was ambassador in England, and made a Knight 
of the Garter, at Boulogne, in 1532. He died in 1543. His father was the 
count of Jarnac, and the family name and title still exist. In 1525, after the 
battle of Pavia, he, with Francois de Tournon, archbishop of Embrun, and 
Jean de Selve, premier president of the parliament of Paris, had been sent by 
Louise, the regent, to Spain, to treat for the liberation of Francis. 

The copy of the statutes of the Garter which was sent to him, passed into 
the possession of the dues de Montmorency ; from them it was inherited by 
the princes de Conde, and it is now in the collection of the due d'Aumale. 

4 Stradiates or Arbenois.] Stradiates, from the Italian, stradiotto (crpa- 
TuoTjjg), a hired soldier; a Greek mercenary. 

Arbenois is the reading of both MSS., as Arbenoyes is of the York MS. : 
but the word is probably a corruption of Albanois, Albanians. 

Q __ ___ Q 



in harness, upon highe horses, passing on with my lord in a wing 
unto Bullen, and so after through Picardy ; for my lord doubted 
some- what the emperor that he should lay some ambushment for 
to betray him; for which cause the French king commanded 
them to attend upon my lordes grace, for the assurance of his 
person, to conduct him without daunger of his enemies. Thus 
rode he accompanied untill he came nighe Bullen, within an Eng- 
lish mile, where encountered him the worshipfullest citizens of the 
towne of Bullen, having a learned man, that made before him an 
oration in Latine, unto the which my lord semblably made an 
answer. And that done monsieur de Bees 5 , capitaine of Bullen, 
with the retinue thereof gentlemen met with him on horseback ; 
and then with all his assembly he rode into the towne, lighting at 
the abbey gate, and from thence he was conveied with procession 
streight into the abbey church there, and offered unto the image 
of our Lady, most commonly called our Lady of Bullen, where was 
allwaies great offering. And that done he gave thence his bless- 
ing to the people, withjcertaine daies of pardon 6 . Then went he 

5 De Bees.'] See p. 79. 

6 With certaine daies of pardon.'] In like manner, we saw, a little above, 
that at Calais he gave " benediction and pardon." From a letter to the 
cardinal, from Humfrey Monmouth, confined in the Tower on suspicion of 
heresy, we may gather what notion was entertained, even by comparatively 
enlightened men, of the efficacy of these pardons. ^If I had broken most 
part of the Ten Commandments of God, being penitent and confessed (I should 
be forgiven) by reason of certain pardons that I have, the which my company 
and I had graunted, whan we were at Rome, going to Jerusalem, of the holy 
father the pope, a poena et a culpa, for certain times in the year : and that, I 
trust in God, I received at Easter last past. Furthermore I received, when 
your grace was last at Pawles, I trust in God, your pardon of a poena et a 
culpa : the which I believe verily, if I had done never so great offences, being 
penitent and confessed, and axing forgiveness, that I should have forgiveness," 
Strype's Ecclesiast. Memor. vol i. p. 248. Appendix. The cardinal had also 



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86 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

into the abbey into bis lodging, and all his traine were lodged 
within the highe and base townes. 

The next morning, after he had heard masse, he rode unto 
MutereU (Montreuil) sur la mer, where he was in like case 
encountered with the worshipful of the towne, all in one like 
livery, having a learned man to make an oration unto him in 
Latine, whom he answered also againe in Latine ; and as he 
entered in at the gate, there was a canopy made ready of silke 
embroidered with like letters and hat, even as his men had on 
their coates. And when that he was lighted his footemen had the 
same as a fee due to their office. Nowe was there made divers 
pageauntes for joy of his comming, who was called in the French 
tongue there, and in all other places through the realme, where 
he rode or came Le Cardinall Pacifick, and in Latine Cardinalis 
Pacifieiis, who was accompanied all that night with the gentlemen 
of the country there abouts. 

\The next day he tooke his journey towards Abbeville, where 
he was encountered with diverse gentlemen of the towne and 
country, and so conveied unto the towne, where he was most 
honorably received with pageantes of diverse kindes wittely and 
costly conveied at every turning of the streetes as he rode 
through the towne, having a like canopy borne over him, being 
of more richer sorte than the other was of Mutterell ; and so 
brought him to his lodging, which was, as it seemed to be, a very 
fair house newly built with brick, and within was all in manner of 
galleries, notwithstanding it was faire and necessary. At which 
house the French kinge Lewis was married to the kings sister, 



a bull granted by pope Leo Xth. a.d. 1518, to give in certain cases and con- 
ditions plenary remission from all sins. — Fiddes, p. 48. Appendix. 



€3 



which was after married 7 to the duke of Suffolk. In this towne 
of Abbeville he remained more than eight or nine daies, where 
resorted unto him daily diverse of the French kings counsell, 
sitting with him in counsell every day, and continually feasting 
them, and others of the lordes and gentlemen highely, both at 
dinners and suppers. 

{ Then when the time came of his departing out of the towne, 
he rode to a castle beyond the waters of Some, called the Channel 
ch Picgeny* standing and adjoyning unto the saide water, upon a 
greate hille and rocke, within the which there was a colledge of 
priestes ; the situation whereof was much like unto the castle of 
Windsor in England ; and there he was received with a solemn 
procession conveying him first into the church, and after into the 
castell to his lodging. At this castell sometime 9 upon the bridge 
that goes over this water of Somme, King Edward the fourthe met 
with the French kinge, as ye may read at large in the chronicles 
of England. 

When my lorde was settled in his lodging, I heard that the 
French king should come that day into Amiens, which was not 
past six English miles from thence ; and being desirous to see 
his comming thither, I toke with me one or two of my lordes 
gentlemen, and rode thither incontinent, as well to furnish me 

7 Married.'] In Oct. 1514. Louis was in his 53rd year, the princess Mary 
in her ] 6th year. Within three months Louis died, and three months after- 
wards the widowed queen was married to her first lover, Charles Brandon, 
duke of Suffolk. 

8 Picgeny.~] Picquigny, near Amiens. 

9 Sometime.'] On the 2nd of August 1475, Edward IV. and Louis XI. 
concluded, at Amiens, a treaty which they confirmed at Picquigny: they 
agreed on a truce for seven years ; a marriage was arranged to take place be- 
tween the Dauphin (afterwards Charles VIII.) and the princess Elizabeth 
of York (afterwards the queen of Henry VII..). 

O _ _____ — Q 



with a convenient lodging, as to see the kinge. And when we came 
thither, being but strangers, we tooke up our inne at the signe 
of the Angell, directly against the west door of the cathedrall 
church de noire Dame. After we had dined there, and tarried untill 
three or four of the clock, expecting the king's coming, in came 
the dame regent, the king's mother 1 , riding in a very riche 
chariot; and with her therein was the queen of Navarre 2 , her 
daughter, furnished with a hundred and more of ladies and gentle- 
women following, every one riding upon white palfreies ; besides 
diverse and many ladies, some in riche horse litters, and some in 
chariots, who lighted at the next dore with all her traine of ladies 
and gentlewomen, besides her garde, which was not small in 
number. Then, within two houres a^ter, the kinge came in with 
a great shot of gunnes and diverse pageants, made only for joye 
of his coming ; having about his person and before him, besides 

1 King's mother.'] Louise of Savoy, duchess of Angouleme. See p. 61. 

2 Queen of Navarre.] Margaret de Valois, daughter of Louise, and sister of 
Francis I. She was born in 1492, and, in 1509, married to the due d'Alencon, 
who was killed in 1525 at the battle of Pavia, when Francis was taken prisoner. 
The loss of her husband did not prevent her going in the same year to Spain to 
plead with Charles for her brother's release. In this she was unsuccessful. 
On the 24th Jan. 1527, she was remarried, in her 35th year, to Henri d'Albret, 
king of Navarre. There can be no truth in what has been said by some, 
amongst whom is Fuller in his Church History, that it was proposed by Wolsey 
for her to marry Henry. It is probable however that some vague report was 
current as to Henry's dissatisfaction with his marriage, and that rumours 
were abroad as to another queen. Indeed some such supposition is necessary 
in order to reconcile conflicting statements. It has been seen that up to the 
time of this embassy, several months after her second marriage, the question of 
Henry's divorce had been scarcely broached. Margaret, the Marguerite des 
Marguerites of her brother Francis, is unfavorably known by her "Heptameron" 
and more favorably by her " Miroir de rdmepecheresse, ,> which has been trans- 
lated into English by queen Elizabeth. In the latter part of her life she was 
greatly attached to the reformation. She died 21 Dec. 1549. 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 89 



the wonderfull number of noblemen and gentlemen, three great 
guardes apparailed diversely. The first was of Switzers and 
Burgonians with gunnes. The second was of Frenchmen, some 
with bowes and arrows, and some with billes. The third guarde 
pour le corps, was of talle Scots, which were more comlier persons 
than all the rest. The French guard, and the guard of the Scots 
had one livery, being apparailed with rich coates of white cloth, 
guarded with a rich guard of silver bullion, of an handful broade. 
The king came riding on a goodly genet, and lighted at the saide 
great church, and so was conveied with procession into the 
bishopps pallace, where he was lodged, and also his mother. 

The next morning I rode againe to Pickeney to attend upon 
my lorde, at which time of my resorte my lorde was ready to go 
to horseback towards Amiens ; and passing on his way, he was 
encountered with diverse noble personnages, making unto him 
diverse orations in Latine, to whom he made answer againe 
extempore, which was very much. Then was worde brought him, 
that the kinge was coming to incounter him ; wherefore he had 
none other shifte but to light at an old chappell, that stoode 
hard by the highe way, and there he new apparailed himselfe 
into richer apparaille, and so mounted againe upon a new mule 
very richly trapped, with a foote cloathe altogether of crimson 
velvet, purled with gold, and fringed about the edges with gold 
fringe very costly, his stirroups of silver and gilt, the bosses of 
the same, and the checkes of his mule's bit were all gilt with fine 
gold. And by that time that he was thus mounted againe after 
this gorgeous sorte, the kinge was come very near, within lesse 
than a quarter of an English mile, mustering upon an hill, 
his guarde standing in array upon the top of the same hill, 
expecting my lorde's coming ; to whome my lorde made as much 

N 

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Q O 

90 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



haste as he conveniently might, untill he came within a paire of 
butt lengthes, and there staied. The king perceiving that, having 
two worthy young gentlemen with him, the one called Monsieur 
Vadamont, and the other Monsieur de Gruise, bothe brethren 
to the cardinall of Loraine, and to the duke of Lorain also 3 , 
being like apparailed as the king was, in purple velvet lined with 
cloth of silver, their coates cut, the king caused Monsieur Vada- 
mont to issue from him, and ride to my lor.de cardinall, to knowe 
the cause of his tarrying. And this monsieur, being mounted 
upon a faire great genet, tooke his race with his horse, untill he 
came even to my lorde ; and there caused his horse to come 
aloft twise or thrise, so nighe my lord's mule, that he was 
in doubt of his horse : and with that he alighted, and doiiis; 
humble reverence, did his message to my lorde ; and that done, 
he mounted againe, and made his horse to doe the same at his de- 
parting as before he did at his coming, and soe repaired againe unto 
the king : and his aunswer ended to the king, the king advanced 
forwardes. That seeing, my lorde did the like, and in the mid way 
they met, embracing each other with amiable countenaunce and 
entertainement. Then drewe into the place all noblemen and gentle- 
men on bothe parties, with wonderful cheere made one to another, 
as though they had bine of an old acquaintance. The prease 4 was 
such and so thicke, that divers had their legges hurt with horses. 
Then the king's officers cried, "Marche, mar die y devaunt, allesde- 



3 To the duke of Lorain also.~\ The four brethren were, Antoine, duke of 
Lorraine, who married Renee de Bourbon, and continued the line of the 
reigning dukes -, Claude, duke of Guise, who married Antonie de Bourbon, 
and was the progenitor of that family which so long troubled France; John, 
cardinal of Lorraine, who died in 1550; Louis, count of Vaudemont, who 
was killed at the siege of Naples in 1528. 

4 P)-ease.~\ Press, crowd. 

0- 6 



vaunt." And the king, and my lord cardinall on his right hand, rode 
forth towardes Amiens, every Englishe gentleman accompanied 
with an other of France. The traine of these two princes endured 
two longe English miles, that is to say from the place of their 
encountry unto Amiens ; whereas they were very nobly received 
with shot of gunes and costly pageantes, until the king had 
brought my lord to his lodging, and then departed for that night, 
the king being lodged in the bishoppes palace. And the next 
day after dinner, my lord rode with a great traine of English 
gentlemen and noblemen unto the court to the king, at which time 
the king kept his bed, yet nevertheless my lord came into his 
bed chamber, where on the one side of his bed sate the king's 
mother, and on the other side the cardinall of Loraine, accom- 
panied with divers other gentlemen and noblemen of France. 
And after a short communication, and drinking a cup of wine 
with the king's mother, my lorde departed, and retourned againe 
to his owne lodging, accompanied with diverse gentlemen and 
noblemen, where they supped with him. Thus continued my 
lorde and the king in Amiens for the space of two weekes and 
more, consulting and feasting each other diverse times. In Amiens 
then was the king and my lorde at masse, the which received 
bothe the sacrament. And upon our Ladies day the Assumption, 
my lorde saide masse before the Regent and queene of Navarre, 
and gave them the sacrament. And there the king dressed a 
number of sicke folkes 5 . 

Then it was determined that the king and my lorde should 
remove, and so they did, to a towne or citty called Campaigne, 



5 Dressed a number of sicke folkes. .] The Assumption was loth August, 
when Francis performed the usual ceremonies. 

N 2 



O 



© 

92 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



which was more than twenty 6 English miles from Amiens ; unto 
the which towne I was sent to prepare my lord's lodging. And 
as I rode on my journey, being a Friday, my horse cast a shoe 
in a little village 7 , where stode a faire castell. And as it 
chaunced there dwelt a smithe, to whome I commanded my 
servant to resorte, to shoe my horse, and standing bye while my 
horse was a shoeing, there came to me a servant of the castell, 
perceiving me to be an Englishman and one of my lorde legates 
servauntes (as they then called my lorde,) requiring me to goe 
into the castell to my lorde his master, who he thought would be 
very glad of my company. To whom I consented, because I was 
alwaies desirous to see and to be acquainted with strangers, and 
in especiall with men in authority, and of honourable estate, soe 
I went with him : who conducted me into the castell, and, at my 
first entry, I was among the watch men that kept the first warde, 
being very tall men and comely persons. They saluted me very 
reverently, and knowing the cause of my comming, desired me to 
stay myselfe untill they had advertised my lorde their master ; 
and soe I did. And incontinent the lorde of the castell came 
out unto me, who was called Monsieur Croky 8 , a nobleman born, 
and nighe of king Lewis's bloud, which was the last king before 

f) Twenty.'] Compiegne is about forty English miles from Amiens. 

7 Little village.'] Moreuil, about twelve miles from Amiens and nine miles 
from Montdidier. 

8 Monsieur Croky.'] Jean, sire de Crequi, surnamed the rich, had married 
Jossine de Soissons, heiress of Jean de Soissons, prince of Poix, who brought 
very large possessions to her husband, and, amongst others, the lordship of 
Moreuil. He was governor of Montreuil, through which place Wolsey had 
just passed. It was his uncle, Antoine de Crequi, seigneur de Pontremi, who 
in the previous year had so bravely defended Terouane against the united 
forces of Henry and Maximilian. The family was long one of the most 
illustrious in France. 

O : 6 



o 



a 



CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



93 



king Fraunces that then reigned. And at his coming he embraced 
me, saying that I was right hartely welcome, and thanked me 
that I so gently would visit him and his castell, saying unto me 
that he was preparing him to encounter the king and my lord, 
to desire them the next day to come to his castell, if he could so 
intreat them. And in-deede he was in his riding coate of black 
velvet, with a paire of ermine shoes of black velvet on his feete, 
with a pair of gilt spurres, ready to ride. Then tooke he me 
by the hand, and most gently led me into his castell through 
an other warde. And being once entered within the castle, 
within a base courte, I sawe all his family and servauntes in 
goodly order, all in blacke gownes and coates, like mourners, who 
led me into his hall which was hanged with hall hookes 9 upon 
the walles, as thicke as one could hange by an other ; and in the 
hall stode an hawkes pearche with three or foure faire goss 
hawkes thereon. Then we entered into a faire parlour which was 
hanged with faire clothes of fine old arras, and being there but a 
while, communing together of my lord of Suffolk, how he was 
there to have beseiged the same \ his servauntes brought in unto 
him bread and wine of diverse sortes. And after we had 
drunken of the same, " I will," quoth he, " shewe you the 
strength of my house, how hard it would have been for my lorde 
of Suffolk to have won it." Then led he me upon the walls 
which were marvaillous stronge, more than fourteen foote broade 

9 Hall hookes.'] Hand-guns. The Harl. MS. 428, has half -hakes ; i. e. 
axes, from the French hache ; the half-axe being a diminutive, like the half- 
pike. 

1 Beseiged the same.'] Shortly before the peace Charles Brandon, duke of 
Suffolk, with Florence of Egmond, the imperial commander, had taken 
Montdidier, and other places, and approached within twenty leagues of Paris 
itself. See p. 62, 



© 



© 



of my feete, and well garnished with great battering pieces of 
ordenaunce ready charged to be shot off against the king and my 
lord their comming by. if they would not enter, whose way was 
laid by the castle. 

When he had shewed me all the walles and bullwarkes about 
the castle, he descended from the walles, and came downe into a 
faire inwarde courte, where his genet stode ready for him to 
mount upon, with twelve other of the fairest genets that ever I 
sawe, and in especial his owne, which was a mare genet, he 
shewed me that he might have had for it four thousand crownes, 
to the which I made no aunswer. But upon the other twelve 
genets were mounted twelve goodly young gentlemen, called pages 
of honour ; they rode all bare headed in coates of cloth of gold, 
and black velvet paned, and on their legges bootes of red Spanish 
lether, and spurres parcell gilt. 

Then he tooke his leave of mee, and commanded his steward 
and other of his gentlemen to attend upon me, and conduct me 
unto my lady his wife, to dinner. And that done he mounted 
upon his genet, and tooke his journey forth of his castle. Then 
the steward, with the rest of his gentlemen, led me up to 
one of the gatehouses, where then my lady their mistress was 
lodged, for the time that the king and my lord should tarry 
there. 

f And I being there tarrying a while, my lady Madame Crokey 2 
issued out of her chamber into her dining chamber, where I 
attended her comming, who received me very gently like her 
noble estate, having a traine of twelve gentlewomen. And when 
she and her traine was come all out, she saide unto me, " For 



2 Madame Crokey.'] See note at p. 92. 

o — — O 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 95 



as much," quoth she, " as ye be an Englishman, whose custome 
is to kisse 3 all ladies and gentlemen in your country without 
offense, although it is not soe here with us in this realme, yet I 
will be so bould as kisse you, and so ye shall doe all my maides." 
By meanes whereof I kissed her and all her maides. Then 
went she to her dinner, being as nobly served as I have seene 
here any in England, having all the dinner time pleasant commu- 
nication of the usage of our ladies and noblemen of England, and 
commended the behaviour of them right excellently : for she was 
with the king at Arde 4 , when the great encounter was' between 
the French king and the king our soveraigne lorde : At which 
time she was, bothe for her person and goodly behaviour, ap- 
pointed to keepe company with the ladies of this realme. To be 
short, after dinner pausing a little, I tooke my leave, and so 
departed on my journey ; and by reason of my tracting of time 
in castle Crokey, I was constrained that night to lye in a walled 

3 Whose custome is to kisse.'] Erasmus appears to have been singularly 
delighted with this English custom. " Quanquam si Britanniae dotes satis 
pernosses, Fauste, nae tu alatis pedibus hue accurreres ; et si podagra tua non 
sineret, Dsedalum te fieri optares. Nam ut e pluribus unum quiddam 
attingam. Sunt hie nymphse divinis vultibus, blandee, faeiles, et quas tu tuis 
Camcenis facile anteponas, Est prceterea mos nunquam satis laudatus : Sive 
quo venias omnium osculis exciperis ; sive discedas aliquo, osculis dimitteris : 
redis ? redduntur suavia : venitur ad te ? propinantur suavia : disceditur abs 
te ? dividuntur basia : occurritur alicubi ? basiatur affatim : denique, quo- 
cunque te moveas, suaviorum plena sunt omnia. Quae si tu, Fauste, gustasses, 
semel quam sint mollicula, quam fragrantia, profecto cuperes non decennium 
solum, ut Solon fecit, sed ad mortem usque in Anglia peregrinari." Erasmi 
Epistol. p. 315. edit. 1642. " It becometh nat therefore the persones religious 
to folovve the maner of secular persones, that in theyr congresses and com- 
mune metyngs or departyng done use to kysse, take hands, or such other 
touchings, that good religious persones shulde utterly avoyde." — Whytford's 
Pype of Perfection, fol. 213. b. ad. 1532. 

4 Arde.~] Meaning the field of the cloth of gold in 1520. 

Q 



o © 

96 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



towne called Mondedri 5 and in Latine Mons desiderii, the suburbs 
whereof my saide lorde of Suffolk had lately 6 burned. 

And earely in the morning I rode to Campaigne, being Sat- 
terday, and market day ; where at my first comming I toke up 
my inne against the middest of the market place, and being set 
at dinner in a faire chamber, that loked into the streete, I heard a 
great rumour and clattering of billes. With that I loked out of 
the windowes, and espied where the officers of the towne brought 
a prisonner to execution, and with a sworde stroke off*his head. 
And when I demaunded what his offense was, it was answered 
me, that it was for killing of a red deare in the forest thereby. 
And incontinent they had set up the poore roan's heade upon a 
pole in the market place, between the Stag's Homes ; and his 
quarters in foure partes of the forest. 

Then went I about to prepare my lorde's lodging, and to see it 
furnished, which was in the great castle of the towne, whereof 
my lord had the one halfe assigned him for his lodging, and the 
king the other halfe ; and in like wise they divided a long gallery 
between them, where was made in the middest thereof a stronge 
wall with a windowe and a dore. The kinge and my lorde would 
many times meet at the same windowe and talke, and diverse 
times would goe in the one to the other, at the said dore. 
s No we in this castle there was lodged Madame Regent, the 
king's mother, and all her ladies and gentlewomen. Then came 
there to my lorde the chauncellor of France 7 , a very witty man, 
with all the king^ grave counsellors, where they toke great paines 



5 Mondedri.'] Montdidier. 

6 See p. 62. 

7 Chauncellor of France.'] Antoine du Prat, who was shortly afterwards 
made a cardinal. 



£V 







■o 



CARDINAL WOLSEY, 



dayly in consultation. In so much that I heard and sawe my 
lord fall out with the chauncellor of France, laying to his charge, 
that he went about to hinder the league, which was, before his 
comming, concluded betweene the king our soveraigne lord and 
the French king his master ; insomuch that my lord stomached 
him stoutly, and tould him, u That it should not lie in his power 
to infringe the amiable friendship. And if the king his master, 
being there present, would followe his counsell, he shall not faile 
shortly after his returne, but feele the smarte, what it is to 
mainetaine warre against the king of England, and thereof ye 
shall well be assured. 11 Soe that his stout countenance, and 
bould wordes made them all in doubt how to quiet him, and 
revoke him againe to the counsell, who was then departed in 
great fury. There was sending, there was coming, there was 
intreating, and there was great submission, and intercession made 
unto him, to reduce him to his former communication and con- 
clusion ; who would in no wise relent, untill Madame Regent 
came to him herselfe, who handled the matter in such wise, that 
she brought him againe to his former estate of communication. 
And by that meanes he brought other things to passe, that 
before he could not obtaine, which was more for feare, than for 
any affection to the matter, he had the heades of the counsell so 
under his girdle. 

/The next morning after this conflict, he rose earely about the 
foure of the clocke, and sat him downe to write letters into 
Englande unto the kinge, commanding one of his chaplains to 
prepare him ready to masse, insomuch that the chaplaine stode 
ready in his vestures, untill foure of the clocke, at afternoone ; 
all which season my Lorde never rose, neither to make water, 
nor yet to eat any meate, but continually wrote letters, with his 

o 



O 



O 



O — O 



98 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



owne hand, having all that time his night cap, and his cherchief 
on his head. And about the houre of foure of the clocke, at 
afternoone, he made an end of writinge 8 , commanding Christopher 
Gunner, the king^s servaunt, to prepare him without delay to ride 
post into England with his letters, whom he dispatched away or 
ever he dranke. And that done, he went to masse, and said his 
mattins and other devotions with his chaplaine, as he was accous- 
tomed to doe ; and then went straight a walking in a garden ; 
and after he had walked the space of an houre or more, and said 
evensong, then went he bothe to dinner and supper all at once. 
And after supper, making but small tarrying, scant an houre, he 
went to his bed, there to take his rest for that night. 

The next night following my lord caused a great supper to be 
made for Madame Regent, and for the queen of Navarre, and 
other great estates of ladies and noble women. 

There was also Madame Heine 9 , one of the daughters of king 

8 Made an end of writinge.'] This long letter is printed in the St. Pa. i. 266 — 
277. 

9 Madame Heine."] Renee of France, youngest daughter of Louis XTI. and 
Anne of Bretagne, and sister of Claude, the deceased queen of Francis. She 
was born at Blois in 1510. In 1514, when only four years old, she had been 
offered to the archduke Charles, (afterwards emperor) with, as her dowry, the 
French claim to the duchy of Milan, which Louis XII. had settled on her by 
deed of gift, dated 16 Nov. 1513. This caused Henry VIII. to listen to Lon- 
gueville's proposal (see p. 23), that his sister Mary, who in 1507 (see p. 9) 
had been engaged to Charles, should marry Louis XII., as she did. Renee 
had also been engaged to the Margrave of Brandenburg, and at this time 
John Zapolia was soliciting her hand. At the time of this embassy she was 
in her seventeenth year : her age, station, wealth, and claims appear to have 
rendered her in Wolsey's eyes a fit match for Henry. " Either unapprised of 
Henry's intentions in favor of Anne (Boleyn), or persuading himself that the 
present amour would terminate like so many others, he looked forward to the 
political consequences of the divorce ; and that he might ' perpetuate ' the 
alliance between England and France, had already selected, for the successor 



o- 



Lewis, the last king, whose sister r , lately dead, king Frauncis had 
married. These two sisters were, by their mother, inheritors of 
the dutchy of Britaine, and for as much as the king had married 
one of the sisters, by whome he had the one moitie of the said 
dutchy ; to attaine to the other moiety, he kept the saide Madame 
Eeyne, the other sister, without marriage, to the intent the whole 
duchy might discend unto him, or his successors, after her death, 
for lack of issue of her. 

\ But now let us return to the supper or rather banquet, where 
all these noble personages were highly feasted ; and at the 
middest of the saide banquet, the king with the king of Navarre 2 , 
came sodeinly in upon them, unlooked for, who toke their places 
in the lowest parte thereof. There was not only plenty of fine 
meates, but also much mirth with solace, as w T ell in merry 
communication, as with the noise of my lord's minstrells, who 
plaied there all that night soe cunningly, that the king took 

of Catherine, Renee, the daughter of Louis XII." Lingard, vi. 114 (on the 
authority of du Bellay, bishop of Bayonne, in Le Grand, iii. 166, 16S). Lin- 
gard then adds, " The public had indeed fixed on Margaret, duchess of Alencon, 
but the letters to which I have referred show, that if he ever thought of her, 
he soon renounced that idea in favor of Renee." In a note (D) at the end of 
the volume, Lingard adds, however, " these stories, though frequently repeated 
by succeeding writers, are undoubtedly fictions." That which in Wolsey's 
eyes might have rendered Renee a fit match for Henry, would on the other 
hand have rendered Henry a dangerous brother-in-law for Francis. Francis 
therefore forwarded her marriage in 1528 with Ercole d'Este, duke of Ferrara, 
whose alliance might be serviceable and could not prove dangerous. Renee 
became a zealous partisan of the reformation, first as a Lutheran, then as a 
Calvinist. She died in 1575. 

1 Whose sister.'] Claude, elder daughter of Louis by Anne of Bretagne, 
was the first wife of Francis I., to whom, when count of Angouleme, she was 
married in 1514. She died in 1524. 

2 Henri d'Albret. 

o 2 
O : O 



o- — — o 

100 ' CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

therein great pleasure, insomuche as he desired my lorde to lend 
them unto him for the next nighte. And after supper, their 
banquet finished, the ladies and gentlemen fell to dauncing; 
amongst whom one Madame Fountaine 3 , a maide, had the prize. 
And thus passed they the most parte of the night ere they 
departed. 

The next day the king toke my lord's minstrells and rode to a 
nobleman's house, where was some live image to whome he vowed 
a night's pilgrimage, to perform his devotion. When he came 
there, which was in the night, he daunced, and caused others to 
doe the same, after the sound of my lord's minstrells, who plaied 
there all night, and never rested, soe that, whether it were with 
extreme labour of blowing, or with poisonning, as some judged, 
because they were more commended by the king than his owne, 
or of what other mischaunce, I cannot tell, but the plaier on the 
shalme 4 , who was very excellent in that kind of instrument, died 
within a day or two after. 

! Then the king retourned unto Campaigne, and caused a wild 
boar to be lodged for him in the forrest of Campaigne : and 
thither my lorde rode with him, to see him hunt the wild swine ; 
where my lady Regent, with a number of ladies and damoselles, 
were standing in chariots, loking on the toile, on the out side, 

3 Fountaine.'] Probably one of the daughters of Georges de Bueil, seigneur 
de Fontaines. 

4 Shalme.'] The base cornet. Ps. xcviii. ver. 6. " With trumpets also, and 
shawms.' 9 Old Vers, in Common Prayer. " With trumpets and sound of 
comets." English Bible. In the Latin vulgate, " Tuba cornea." In a letter 
(Calig. B. vi. f. 341.) from Magnus and Ratcliffe to Wolsey, it is said that 
Henry VI IPs letters were presented whilst Q. Margaret and James V. were 
going to mass amid the music of trumpets and shamulles : and in Cranmer's 
letter to Hawkins, (I. Ellis, ii. 37.) describing Anne Boleyn's coronation, he 
mentions " tromppets, shambes, etc." 

c— 6 



© — © 

CARDINAL WOLSEY. 101 

which was pitched there for that purpose ; among whome stoode 
my lorde Cardinal!, to regarde the hunting, in Madame Regent's 
chariot. And within the toile was the king with diverse minion 
gentlemen 5 of Fraunce, ready furnished to this high and dan- 
gerous enterprize, of the hunting of the perrilous wild swine. 
The king being in his doublet and hosen, all of sheepe's colour 
clothe, his hosen, from the knee upwarde, were thrummed very 
thicke with silke of the same colour ; having in his slip a brace 
of great white greyhoundes, who were armed, as the manner is 
there, to defend them from the violence of the swines tuskes. 
And the rest of the king's gentlemen, being appointed to hunt 
this bore, were likewise in their dubblettes and hosen, holding 
eache of them in their handes a very sharpe boare speare. 

Then the king commanded the kepers to uncouch the boare, 
and that every other person within the toile should goe to a 
standing, among whom were divers gentlemen and yeomen of 
England : and incontinent the boare issued out of his denne, and, 
followed with an hound, came into the plaine, where being staied 
a while, and gasing upon the people, and incontinent pursued by 
the hound, he spied a little bushe standing upon a banke over a 
ditche, under the which lay two French gentlemen, and thither 
fled, trusting there to have defended himselfe, who thrust his 
head snuffing into the same bushe. These two gentlemen fled 
from thence, as men doe from the danger of death. Then was 
the boare by violence and pursuite of the hunters and the 
hounds, driven from thence, who ran straight to one of my lorde's 

5 Minion gentlemen.] Fr. Mignon, favourite ; originally from the old German Minna : 
as used by Cavendish, it means, simply, a young gentleman of the king's court. After- 
wards, especially in Henry Ill's (of France) time, it was used unfavorably. Some of its 
derivatives are still good : mignionette is a sweet flower, and minion type, in which this note 
is printed, takes its name from its supposed elegant form. 

© — —o 



Q 

102 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



footmen, a very tall and comely yeoman, who had in his hands an 
English javelline, with the which he was faine to defend himselfe 
from the boare, a great while, the boare continually foining at 
him with his great tuskes, so that at the last he was faine to 
pitche his javelin in the ground betwene him and the boare, the 
which the boare brake with his force and foining. And with that 
the yeoman drewe his sworde, and stode at his defence ; and 
with that the hunters came to the rescue, and put him once 
againe to flight. With that he fled to an other young gentleman 
of England, called Mr. Eatcliffe, who was sonne and heire to the 
lord Fitzwalter, and now earle of Sussex 6 , who had borrowed by 
chaunce of a French gentleman, a very fine and sharpe boare 
speare, and therewith hee thrust the boare into the mouth, and 
soe into his throate ; whereupon the sport was ended. 

Now shortly after there were divers malicious practises pre- 
tended against us by the French, who by their theft somewhat 
impayred us : whereupon one of them, being a man I was well 
acquainted with, maintained a seditious untruth, openly divulged, 
and set forth by a subtile and traiterous subject of their realme, 
saying also that he doubted not, but the like had bine attempted 
within the king of England his majesty's dominions ; but to see 
so open and manifest blasphemy to be openly punished, according 
to their traiterous deserts, notwithstanding I sawe but small 
redresse. This was one of the displeasures that the Frenchmen 
shewed him, for all the pains and travell he toke for qualifying of 
the king their soveraigne lord's ransome. 

Also another displeasure was this. There was no place where 
he was lodged, after he entered the territory of Fraunce, but 

6 Earle of Sussex.'] Henry, the second earl of the Ratcliffe family. His 
father Robert, viscount Fitzwalter, was created earl of Sussex in Dec. 1529. 



o — .o 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 103 

that he was robbed in his privy chamber, either of little things 
or great ; and at Campaigne he lost his standishe, which was all 
of silver, and gilt : and there it was espied, and the party taken, 
which was but a little boy of twelve or thirteen yeares of age, a 
ruffian's page of Paris, which haunted my lord's lodging without 
any suspition, untill he was taken lying under my lords privy 
staires ; upon which occasion he was apprehended, and examined, 
and incontinent he confessed all things that he stole, the which 
the ruffian his master received, maintained, and procured him soe 
to doe. Then after the espiall of this boy, my lord revealed the 
same unto the counsell, by meanes whereof the ruffian was 
apprehended, and set on the pillory, in the middest of the market 
place ; a goodly recompense for such an offense. Also another 
displeasure was some lewd person, whosoever it was, had engraved 
in my lord's windowe upon the leaning stone there, a cardinally 
hat with a paire of gallowes over it, in derision of my lord ; with 
diverse other unkinde demeanours, the which I omit here to write 
them, being so slanderous matters. 

Thus passing divers daies in consultation and in other matters, 
expecting the return of Christopher Gunner, which was sent into 
England with letters unto the king in post, as is before rehearsed, 
at the last he returned with letters againe ; upon the receipt 
whereof my lord made haste to return into England. 
f In the morning that my lord intended to remove, being then 
at masse in his closet, he consecrated the chauncellor of Fraunce 7 
a cardinall, and put upon him his habit, his hat, and his cap of 
scarlet ; and then toke his journey returning againe into England, 
making such necessary expedition that he came to Gruines, where 

7 Chauncellor of Fraunce.~] Antoine du Prat. 

Q . _® 



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104 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

lie was nobly received of my lord Sandes, then capitaine there, 
with all the retinue of the same. And from thence he rode to 
Callise, where he tarried the shipping of his stuff, horses and 
traine ; and in the meane time he established there a marte, to 
be kept for all nations ; but howe longe, and in what sorte it 
continued I know not, for I never heard of any great good it did, 
or any assembly there of merchants or merchandise, that was 
brought thither, for the furniture of so great and weighty a 
matter. 

These things and other for the weale of the towne and garrison 
by him perfected and finished, as it was then thought, he tooke 
shipping and arrived at Dover, from whence he rode to the court 8 , 
the king then being in his progress at Sir Henry Wiatt's house, 
in Kent 9 , of whom I and other of his servauntes thought, that he 
should be there highly received at his home comming, as well of 
the king as of others of the lordes. But we were deceived in our 
expectation. Notwithstanding he went immediately after his 
comming thither to the king, with whom he had long talke, and 
continued two or three daies there in the court ; and then 
returned to his house at Westminster, where he remained until 
Michaelmas terme, which was within lesse than a fortnight after, 
and exercised his high rome of chauncellorship, as he was accus- 
tomed. 

And immediately after the beginning of the terme, he caused 
to be assembled in the Star chamber all the noblemen, judges, and 
justices of the peace of every shire throughout England that were 
in Westminster hall at that present, and there made to them a 

s To the court] Sept. 30, 1527. Herbert, p. 210. 

9 Sir Henry WiaWs house, in Kent.'] Allington castle, near Aylesford and 
Maidstone. 

6 © 



long oration, declaring unto them the cause of the embassage 
into Fraunce, and his proceeding there ; amongst the which he 
said, " he had concluded such an amity and friendship as never 
was hearde of in this realme before, as well betweene the Empe- 
ror and us, as also betweene the king our sovereign lord and the 
French king, with a perpetuall peace, the which shall be con- 
firmed in writing eternally, sealed with the broade seales of both 
the realmes graven in fine gold * ; affirming farther, that the king 
shall receive yearly his tribute by that name out of the duchy of 
Normandy, with all the costes which he hath sustained in the 



1 Graven in fine gold.'] " The ratification of this treaty is preserved in the 
Chapter House at Westminster. It is written on ten leaves of vellum, signed 
by the French king, s Francoys' and countersigned * Robertet.' The great 
seal of France is appended to it, inclosed in a magnificent box of pure gold: 
on the obverse of which Francis is represented sitting on his throne, under a 
superb cloth of estate, the curtains of which are drawn back and held open by 
two angels, and two smaller angels are assisting to keep them open at the 
upper part. Two lions are crouching at the feet of Francis, and form the 
footstools to the throne. The whole is surrounded by an inscription, on a broad 
border, ' Plurima servantur feeder e, cunctafide. 9 The reverse has three Fleurs 
de Lis on a plain shield (the arms of France) enclosed in the collar of the 
order of St. Michael, exquisitely chased, surmounted by the crown, with the 
style and titles of Francis, ' Franciscus primus Dei gratia Francorum rex 
Christianissimvs,' on a border similar to the former. The whole is finely exe- 
cuted, and is very inadequately, though not inaccurately, represented in 
Rymer's engraving, vol. xiv. p. 227. The first page of the manuscript is illu- 
minated, and, at the beginning, exhibits a miniature of Francis in a suit of 
Milan armour, with a surcoat of black, embroidered with gold. At the bot- 
tom is the Fleur de Lys, on a shield supported by two angels. The sides are 
ornamented with birds, flowers, and insects, sustaining a motto on each; that 
of the dexter being ' Nutrisco et extinguo,' that on the sinister 'Extinguo 
et nutrisco. 1 It is altogether one of the most beautiful manuscripts of the 
age." St. Pap. i. 275. It may be as well to add that the motto refers to 
Francis' well-known device of the Salamander, which doubtless figures among 
the " insects." 

P 
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106 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

warres. And also, where there was restraint made in Fraunce 
of the French queue's dowry, whom the duke of Suffolk had 
married, for diverse yeares during the warres, it was fully con- 
cluded, that she should not only receive the same again, accord- 
ing to her just right, but also the arrerages being unpaide during 
the restrainte. All which things shall be perfected shortly at the 
resort of the ambassadors out of Fraunce. In the which shall be 
such a great number of noblemen and gentlemen to conclude the 
same, as hath not bine seen heretofore repaire hither out of one 
realme. This peace thus concluded, there shall be such an amity 
between the gentlemen of each realme, and intercourse of mer- 
chandise, that it shall seeme to all men, both territories to be but 
one monarchic Gentlemen may travaile from one country to 
another for their recreation and pastime ; then merchaunts, being 
in either country arrived, shall be assured to travaile about their 
affaires in peace and tranquillity : so that this realme shall joye 
and prosper for ever. Therefore it shall be well done of all true 
Englishmen to rejoice, and to set forthe the same, at the resort 
of this great embassage, both in gesture and intertainement, that 
it may be an occasion unto them, bothe to accept the same in 
good parte, and also to use you with the semblable, and make of 
the same a noble reporte in their countries. 

"Now my masters I beseeche you, and require you on the 
king's behalfe, that you shewe yourselves herein as loving and 
obedient subjects, wherein the king will much rejoice at your 
to wanness." And here he ended his oration, and brake up the 
courte, and soe every man departed his several waye. 

This great long looked for embassage 2 was now come over with 

2 Embassage^ The ambassadors were Anne de Montmorency, constable 
and grand master of France; Jean du Bellay, bishop of Bayonne (who after- 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



107 



a great retinue, which were in number eighty persons or above of 
the most noblest and worthiest gentlemen in all Fraunce, who 
were right honorably received from place to place after their 
arrivall, and so conveyed through London the twentieth of Octo- 
ber a.d. 1527, unto the bishoppes pallace there in Paules churche 
yarde, whereas they were lodged, or thereaboutes, for the time of 
their abode. To whome diverse noblemen resorted and gave 
them diverse goodly presents ; and in especiall the mayor and citty 
of London, as wine, sugar, waxe, capons, wild fowle, beastes, 
muttons, and other necessary things in great aboundaunce, for 
the expences of their house. Then resorted they on the Sonday 
unto the courte being at Grenewiche, and were there received by 
the king's majesty, of whome they were highly entertained. They 
had a commission to establish the king's highness in the order of 
Fraunce 3 ; for whom they brought, for that intent, a collar of fine 



wards was bishop of Paris and cardinal) ; Jean Brinon, seigneur de Villaynes, 
premier president of the parliament of Rouen ; and Jean, seigneur d'Humieres. 
They were attended by a suite of about 600 persons, amongst whom were 
many seigneurs and gentlemen. The memorials of this embassy are still 
extant amongst the MSS. in the Bibliotheque du Roi. 

3 Order of Fraunce.'] The order of St. Michael. In the year 1022, king 
Robert of France instituted an order called that of the Star, which was en- 
larged by John, king of France, in 1350. This having become common and 
somewhat debased, Charles VII., at the last chapter, which was held at 
Clichy, in 1456, took his ribbon and badge from his neck and gave it to the 
officer of the nightly watch then on duty, calling him in ridicule Chevalier 
du Guet. From that time the order died away. In 1469, Louis XI. insti- 
tuted the order of St. Michael, which also, in its turn, became of little value. 
In 1579, the order of the St. Esprit was founded by Henry III., in memory 
of his elevation to the crown of Poland and succession to the crown of 
France on the day of Pentecost. Those upon whom the order of the 
St. Esprit was conferred bore, however, the collar of St. Michael within that 
of the higher order, and were called knights of the king's orders. The order 
of St. Michael was sometimes given separately to persons of an inferior class. 

r 2 



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o 



gold, with the Michaell hanging thereat, and robes to the said 
order appurtenant, the which was very comely, of blue velvet, and 
richly embroidered, wherein I sawe the king passe into his closet, 
and after in the same apparell at masse beneath in his chappell. 
And to gratify the French king for his great honour with the 
semblable, he sent incontinent a nobleman 4 of the order here in 
England with Garter the Herald 5 into Fraunce unto the French 
king, to establish him in the Order of the Garter, with a sem- 
blable collar, with a garter and robes according to the same ; the 
ambassadors remaining here untill their retourne. 

All things being then determined and concluded, concerning 
the perpetuall peace upon solemn ceremonies and othes contained 
in certaine instruments touching the same, it was therefore deter- 
mined, that there should be a solemne masse sung in the cathe- 
drall church of Paules by the cardinall, the king being present at 
the same in his traverse. To the performaunce of their determi- 
nation, and to the preparation thereof, there was made a gallery 
from the west doore of Pauleys churche, through the body of the 
same, up to the quier doore, railed on every side, upon which 
railes stode swete burning perfumes. Then the king and my lord 
cardinall, with then* whole traine of noblemen and gentlemen, 
went upon the saide gallery into the quier, and so to the high 
aulter unto the travers, my lord cardinall preparing himself to 
sing the masse, associated with twenty four miters of bishoppes, 



At the revolution all were abolished, and by Napoleon the Legion of Honor 
was founded to replace them. 

4 A nobleman.'] Thomas Bullen, then viscount Rochford, afterwards created 
earl of Wiltshire and Ormond, the father of queen Anne. See p. 48. 

5 Garter the Herald ] Sir Thomas Writhe, or Wriothesley, uncle of the 
first earl of Southampton. 

O 6 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



109 



and abbotes, who attended and served him, in such ceremonies as 
to him were then due, by reason of his legatine prerogative. 

And after the last agnus 6 , the king rose out of his travers and 
kneled upon a carpett and cushions before the high aulter ; and 
the like did the Graunde Master of Fraunce the cheife ambassa- 
dor, that represented the Frenche king, betwene whome my lord 
cardinall divided the blessed sacrament, as a perfect oathe, and 
bond of security of the saide covenante of perpetuall peace. That 
done, the king resorted againe to his travers, and the Grand 
Master to his. This masse being ended, which was solemnly 
sung bothe with the quier of the same churche, and with the 
king's chappell, my lord cardinall toke and read the instrument 
of peace openly before the king and all other bothe Frenche and 
Englishe, and there in the sight of all the people the king put his 
hande to the seale of gold, and subscribed the same with his own 
hande, and delivered the same to Grand Master as his dede, 
who semblably did the like ; and that done they departed. 

And the king rode home with my lord cardinall to West- 
minster, and there dined with all the Frenchmen, passing all the 

6 After the last agnusJ] The book of ceremonies (compiled under the in- 
fluence of the bishops Gardiner and Tonstall, and in opposition to that of 
Cranmer, about the year 1540, and designed to retain in the church many 
operose and superstitious rites, by setting them off with the aids of a philo- 
sophical and subtle interpretation), describing in succession the different 
parts of the canon of the mass, proceeds thus : " Then saith the priest thrice, 
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, 8fc, advertising us of three effects of 
Christ's passion ; wherof the first is, deliverance from the misery of sin : 
the second is from pain of everlasting damnation ; wherefore he saith twice 
Miserere nobis, that is to say, Have mercy on us; and the third effect is, 
giving of everlasting peace, consisting in the glorious fruition of God." — 
Strype's Ecclesiast. Memorials, vol. i. p. 289. Records. See also Miror of 
our Lady, fol. 189, and Becon's Works, vol. hi. fol. 49. a.d. 1564. 



©- 



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day after with consultation of weighty matters, touching the con- 
clusion of the saide articles of the saide perpetuall peace. The 
king then departed by water to Greenwiche ; at whose departing 
it was concluded by the king's devise, that all the Frenchmen 
should resorte to Richmonde and hunt in every of the parks 
there, and from thence to Hampton Courte, and therein likewise 
to hunt, and my lord cardinall to make there a supper, or a 
banquet, or bothe to them ; and from thence they should ride to 
Windsor, and there to hunt, and after their retourne againe to 
London, to resorte to the king at Greenwiche, and there to 
banquet with him before their departure. This determined, they 
all departed to their lodgings. 

I Then was there no more to doe but to make preparation of all 
things for this great assembly at Hampton Courte, at the day 
appointed. My lord cardinall called before him his principal 
officers, steward, treasurer, controller, and the clerkes of his 
kitchine, to whom he declared his full minde, touching the enter- 
tainement of the Frenchmen at Hampton Courte ; whome he 
commaunded neither to spare for any costes, expences or travell, 
• to make them such a triumphant banquet, as they may not only 
wonder at it here, but also make a glorious reporte thereof in 
their country, to the great honor of the king and his realme. His 
pleasure to them knowne, to accomplish his commaundement, 
they sent out all the caterers, purveyors, and diverse other persons 
to my lord's friends to prepare. Also they sent for all their ex- 
pert cokes, and cunning persons in the arte of cokery, which were 
within London, or elsewhere, that might be gotten to beautify 
this noble feast. 

Then the purveiors provided, and my lords friendes sent such 
provision, as you would wonder to have sene. The cokes wrought 

o— — o 



both night and day in subtelties and many crafty devises ; where 
lacked neither gold, silver, neither any costly thing mete for the 
purpose. 

The yeomen and groomes of the wardrobes were busied in 
hanging of the chambers with costly hangings, and furnished the 
same with beddes of silke, and other furniture for the same in 
every degree. Then my lord cardinall sent me, being his gentle- 
man usher, with two other of my fellows thither, to foresee all 
things touching our roomes to be nobly garnished accordingly. 
Our paines were not small nor light, but dayly travelling up and 
downe from chamber to chamber. Then wrought the joiners, 
carpenters, masons, painters, and all other artificers necessary 
to be had to glorify this noble feast. There was carriage and 
re-carriage of plate, stuffe, and other riche implements, so that 
there was nothing lacking to be devised or imagined for the 
purpose. There were also provided two hundred and eighty 
beddes, furnished with all manner of furniture to them belonging, 
too long particularly here to be rehearsed. But all wise men may, 
and doe sufficiently know what belongeth to the furniture thereof, 
and that is sufficient at this time to be saide. 

The day was come to the Frenchmen assigned, and they ready 
assembled before the houre of their appointment. Wherefore 
the officers caused them to ride to Hanworthe, a place and a 
parke of the king^ within three miles, there to hunt and spend 
the day untill night. At which time they retourned againe to 
Hampton Oourte, and every of them was conveied to their seve- 
rall chambers, having in them great fires and wine for their com- 
forte and releife, remaining there untill the supper was ready. 
The chambers where they supped and banquetted, were ordered 
in this sorte. First, the great waitinge chamber was hanged 



O 



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112 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

with rich arras 7 , as all other were, one better than another, and 
furnished with tall yeomen to serve. There was set tables round 
about the chamber, banquet wise covered. A cupboard was 
there garnished with white plate, having also in the same cham- 
ber, to give the more light, fower great plates of silver set with 
great lightes, and a great fire of wood and coales. 

The next chamber, being the chamber of presence, was hanged 
with very riche arras, and a sumptuous clothe of estate furnished 
with many goodly gentlemen to serve. The tables were ordered 
in manner as the other chamber was, saving that the high table 
was removed beneath the cloath of estate, towards the middest of 
the chamber, covered. Then was there a cupboard in length as 
broade as the chamber, with six deskes of height, garnished with 
gilt plate, and the nethermost desk was garnished all with gold 
plate, having with lightes one paire of candlestickes of silver and 
gilt, being curiously wrought, which cost three hundred marks, 
and standing upon the same two lightes of waxe burning, as big 
as torches, to set it forth. This cupboard was barred round 
about that no man could come nighe it ; for there was none of all 
this plate touched in the banquet, for there was sufficient besides. 
The plates that hung on the walles to give light were of silver 
and gilt, having in them great perchers 8 of waxe burning, a 
great fire in the chimney, and all other things necessary for the 
furniture of so noble a feast. 

Nowe was all things in a readiness, and supper time at 
hande. The principall officers caused the trumpetts to bio we 
to warne to supper. The said officers right discreetly went and 

7 Rich arras.'] Some of Wolsey's tapestry, with his arms interwoven, still 
remains at Hampton Court, in a room at the east end of the great hall. 

8 Perchers.'] The large wax-candles usually set upon the altars. 

&- — 



O 

CARDINAL WOLSEY. 118 

conducted these noble-men from their owne chambers, into the 
chambers where they should suppe. And they being there, caused 
them to sit downe ; and that done, their service came up in such 
aboundance, both costly and full of subtilties, and with such a 
pleasant noise of instruments of musick, that the Frenchmen as 
it seemed, were rapt into a heavenly paradise. 

lYe must understande that my lord cardinall was not there, ne 
yet come, but they were merry and pleasaunte with their fare, 
and devised subtilties. Before the second course, my lord cardi- 
nall came in booted and spurred all sodenly among them, and 
bade them proface 9 ; at whose comming there was great joye 
with rising every man from his place. Whom my saide lorde 
caused to sit still, and kepe their romes : and being in this ap- 
parell as he rode, he called for a chaire, and sat down in the 
middest of the highe table, laughing and being as merry as ever 
I sawe him in my life. Anon came up the second course, with 
many dishes, subtilties, and devises, about a hundred in number, 
which were of so goodly proportion and costly devise, that I 
thinke the Frenchmen never sawe the like. The wonder was no 
lesse than it was worthy in deede. There were castles with 
images in the same ; Paules churche for the quantity as well 
counterfaited as the painter should have painted it on a cloath or 
wall. There were beastes, birdes, fowles, and personnages, most 
likely made and counterfaited, some fighting with swordes, some 
with gunnes and cross bowes, some vaulting and leaping ; some 
dauncing with ladies, some on horses, in compleit names, justing 
with longe and sharpe speares, with many mo devises than I am 
able to describe. Among all, one I noted. There was a chess 

9 Proface.'] Much good may it do you ! Ital. profaccia, Lat. projiciat. 

a 

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114 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



borde made with spiced plate x , with men thereof to the same. 
And for the good proportion, and because the Frenchmen be 
very cunning and experte in that playe, my lord cardinall gave 
the same to a gentleman of France, commaunding there should 
be made a goodly case, for the preservation thereof, in all haste, 
that he might convey the same safe into his country. Then toke 
my lord a bowle of gold filled with hypocras, and putting off his 
cap, saide, " I drink to the king my soveraigne lord, and next 
unto the king your master," and therewith dranke a good draught. 
And when he had done, he desired the Grand Master to pledge 
him cup and all, the which was well worth five hundred marks ; 
and so caused all the borde to pledge these two royal princes. 

vThen went the cuppes so merrily about, that many of the 
Frenchmen were faine to be led to their beddes. Then rose up 
my lord, and went into his privy chamber to pull off his bootes, 
and to shifte him ; and then went he to supper in his privy 
chamber, and making a very shorte supper, yea rather a short 
repaste, retourned into the chamber of presence among the 
Frenchmen, using them so lovingly and familiarly, that they 
could not commend him too much. 

f And whilst they were in communication and other pastimes, 
all their liveries were served to their chambers. Every chamber 
had a basen and an ewer of silver, a great livery-pot of silver, 
and some gilt ; yea and some chambers had two livery pots with 
wine and beare, a bowle and a goblet, and a pot of silver to drink 
in, bothe for their beare and wine ; a silver candlestick, bothe 
white and plaine, having in it two sizes, and a staffe torche of 
waxe ; a fine manchet, and a cheat loafe 2 . Thus was every 

1 Plate.'] Q. paste? 

2 Cheat loafe?\ Todd derives cheat from achet, bought bread, as distinguished 

6 — o 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



115 



chamber furnished throughout all the house, and yet the cup- 
boardes in the two banquetting chambers not once touched. 
Thus when it was more than time convenient they were convaied 
to their lodgings, where they rested at ease for the night. In 
the morning after they had heard masse, they dined with my 
lorde, and so departed towardes Windsor. They being then 
departed, my lord retourned againe to London, because it was in 
the middest of the tear me. 

It is not to be doubted, but that the king was made privy of 
all this worthy feast, who then intended far to excede the same ; 
which I leave untill the retourne of the Frenchmen ; who had 
given an high commaundement to his officers to devise a farre 
more sumptuous banquet for the strangers, than they had at 
the cardinally ; which was not neglected but pursued with all 
dilligence. 

(^ffcer the retourne of these straungers from Windsor, which 
place with the order thereof they much commended, the day 
approached that they were by the king invited to the courte ; 
where first they dined, and after dauncing and other pastimes by 
them done, the time of supper came on. Then was the ban- 
quetting chamber in the tilt yarde at Greenwiche furnished for 
the enterteinement of these strangers, to the which place they 
were conducted by the noblest personnages then being in the 
courte, where they did bothe sup and banquet. But to describe 
unto you the order, the dishes, the subtilties, and strange devises 
of the same, I lack both a head of fine wit, and also cunning in 
my bowells to declare these wonderful devises. But thus ye shall 



6 



from the coarser bread made at home j others suppose it a diminutive of 
manchet. 

a 2 



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116 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



understande ; although it were marvaillous sumptuous at Hamp- 
ton Courte, yet that notwithstanding, this banquet excelled the 
same, as farre as gold doeth exceed silver, in value of weight 
for weight ; and for my parte I never sawe, heard nor read of 
the like. Then in the middest of this banquet, there was tourn- 
ing at the barriers with lusty gentlemen in compleat armour very 
gorgious on foote ; then was there the like on horseback ; and 
after all this the most goodly disguising or enterlude, made in 
Lattine, that I have seen ; the plaiers apparell being so riche, 
and of so strange devises, that it passeth my capacity to 
expound. 

{^This done, there came a number of the fairest ladies and 
gentlewomen, that bare any brute 3 of bewty in all the realme, in 
most richest apparell that their tailors coulde invent or devise to 
set forthe their gesture, proportion and beauty, that they semed 
to all men to be rather celestial angels descended from heaven, 
than creatures of flesh and bone. Surely to me, simple soule, it 
was inestimable ; and so I think it was to other of an higher 
judgment : with whom these gentlemen of Fraunce daunced, 
untill a gorgious maske came in of noble gentlemen, who daunced 
and masked with these ladies, every man as his fantasy served 
him. That done, and the maskers departed, came in an other 
maske of ladies so costly and gorgeously apparelled, that it 
passeth my wit to manifest and declare. Wherefore least I 
should rather deface their riches, I leave it untouched. These 
ladies maskers toke each of them one of the Frenchemen to 
daunce, and to maske. Ye shall understande, that these noble- 
women maskers spake good French unto the Frenchemen ; 

3 Brute.'] Bruit, reputation, fame. 
O o 



which delighted them very much, to heare these ladies speake to 
them in their owne tongue. 

Thus was this night occupied and consumed from five of the 
clock, untill two or three of the clock after midnight ; at which 
time it was convenient for all estates to drawe to their lodgings, 
and take their rest. And thus every man departed, whereas 
they had most releife. Then as nothing, either health, wealth, or 
pleasure, can alwaies endure, so ended this triumphant banquette, 
which in the morning seemed to all the beholders but as a phan- 
tasticall dreame. 

After all this solemne cheere, at a day appointed they prepared 
them with bag and baggage to retourne into Fraunce. Then, 
according to the order of all honorable persons, they resorted in 
good order unto the courte, to take their leave of the king, and 
other noblemen then being there : to whom the king declared 
first his princely pleasure of commendations unto the king their 
master, and thanked them for their paines and travell, and after 
long communication had with the most honorable among them 
of the embassage, he bad them adieu. 

Then came they to Westminster unto my lord to doe the like ; 
of whome they received the king's rewardes, the which were 
these ; every man of honour and estimation had plate, some to 
the value of three or four hundred poundes, and some more, and 
some lesse, besides other great giftes, received before of the 
king's majesty, as gownes of velvet with rich furres, great chaines 
of gold, and some had goodly horses, or geldings, of great price 
and valewe, with diverse other giftes, which now I cannot call to 
remembrance. And the least of them had an ounce of crownes 
of gold : the worst page amonge them had twenty crownes for 
his parte. And being thus nobly rewarded they departed. My 



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118 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

lorde after humble commendations had by them to the Frenche 
king, bad them adieu. And the next day they were conveied 
with all their furniture,' unto the sea side, with lusty young 
gentlemen of Englande. And what praise, or commendation, or 
salutation they made in their country at their retourne, in good 
faithe I cannot shewe you, for I never heard any thing thereof. 
For then began other matters to brue, that occupied our heades 
and imaginations, wherewith all men's stomakes were full, with 
small digestion. 

( The long-hid and secret love that was betweene the king and 
mistress Anne Bullen brake now out, and the matter was by the 
king disclosed unto my lorde cardinall * ; whose persuasion upon 

4 By the king disclosed unto my lorde cardinall.'] " The first suggestion of the 
divorce has been attributed to different persons. 1. By the public the credit 
or infamy of it was given to Wolsey {instigator et auctor consilii existimabatur, 
Poli Apol. ad Cces. 115, 116), and the Emperor, in his answer to Henry's 
defiance, openly charges the cardinal with it (Le Grand, iii. 46). — 2. Wolsey 
denied or admitted it, as best suited his purpose. He denied it in the 
presence of the king in the legatine court (see p. 131), and repeatedly 
boasted of it to the French ambassador (Le Grand, iii. 186, 200, 318, 319). 
— 3. Henry himself declared that the idea originated not with the cardinal, 
but with himself, and that his scruples were confirmed by the bishop of 
Tarbes (see p. 131. Le Grand, iii. 218. Hall, 180): and Longland, the 
king's confessor, agrees with him so far, as to say that he derived his first 
information respecting it from Henry (Burnet's History, iii. App. p. 400). 
But Cardinal Pole, who, writing to the king on such a subject, would 
hardly venture to assert what, if it were not true, Henry must have known 
to be false, assures us that it was first mentioned to the king by cer- 
tain divines, whom Anne Boleyn sent to him for that purpose. f Ilia ipsa 
sacerdotes suos, graves theologos, quasi pignora promptae voluntatis misit, 
qui non modo tibi licere afiirmarent uxorem dimittere, sed graviter etiam 
peccare dicerent, quod punctum ullum temporis earn retineres ; ac nisi con- 
tinuo repudiares, gravissimam Dei offensionem denuntiarent. Hie primus 
totius fabulae exorsus fuit.' Pole, f. lxxvi." Lingard, vi. 113. 

6 



his knees long time before to the king to the contrary would not 
serve : the king was so affectioned, that will bare place, and dis- 
cretion was banished cleane for the time. My lorde being pro- 
voked to declare his opinion and wisdome in the avauncement of 
his desired purpose, thought it not mete to wade too farre alone, 
or to give his hasty judgement or advice in so weighty a matter, 
but desired of the king license to aske counsell of men of auncient 
study, and famous learning, bothe in the divine and civil lawes. 
That obteined, — by his legantine authority, he sent his commission 
out for all the bishoppes of this realme, that were learned in 
either of the saide lawes, or else had in any highe estimation for 
their prudent counsaile and judgement in princely affaires of long 
experience. 

(Then assembled these noble prelates at Westminster before my 
lorde cardinall, as well auncient famous and notable clerkes of 
bothe universities of Oxford and Cambridge, as also of divers 
cathedrall colleges of this realme, reckoned and accompted learned 
and of witty discretion in the determination of doubtful matters. 
Then was this matter of the king's case debated, reasoned, argued, 
and consulted of from day to day, and time to time, that it was 
to the learned a goodly hearing, but in the conclusion, (as it 
seemed to me, and other,) the auncient fathers of bothe the lawes, 
(by my small estimation,) at their departure, departed with one 
judgement, contrary to the principall expectation. I heard then 
the opinion of some of the most famous persons amonge that 
sorte, reporte, that the king's case was too obscure for any learned 
man to discuss, the pointes therein were so doubtfull to have any 
true understanding or intelligence. And therefore they departed 
without any resolution or judgement. 

Then in this assembly of bishoppes it was thought most expe- 



ct 



dient, that the king should first send out his commissioners into 
all the universities of Christendome, as well here in Englande, 
as into forraine regions, to have among them his grace's case 
argued substauntially, and to bringe with them from thence the 
very definition of their opinions in the same, under the seales of 
every university. That for this time was their determination ; 
and so allowed, that diverse commisioners were incontinent 
appointed to this matter, who were divided, as some to Oxon- 
forde, some to Cambridge, some to Lovaine, some to Paris, some 
to Orleaunce, some to Bononye, and some to Padway, and so 
for the. Although these commisioners had the travell, yet was 
the costes and charges the king's ; the which were no lesse than 
great and notable sommes of money, and all went out of this 
realrne. For as I heard reported (and as it semed in deede) 
besides the charges of the embassage, the famous and most 
notable persons, and in especiall such as had any rule, or had the 
custody of their universitie seales, were choked by the com- 
misioners with such notable sommes of money 5 , that they were 
the more glad to agree to their requestes, and to graunt to all 
that they desired : by meanes whereof all the commisioners 
retourned home againe with their purpose finished according to 
their commision, under the particular seale of every severall 
university, whereat there was no small joy conceived of the prin- 
cipall persons : in so much as the commisioners were not only 

5 Such notable sommes of money.'] It is a question of fact which has been 
warmly debated, whether the suffrages of the universities in Henry's favour 
were purchased by money. It does not seem very necessary that we should enter 
into this dispute. But any one who wishes so to do, may consult Burnet's 
History of the Reformation, vol. hi. p. 401, appendix; Harmer's [Wharton's] 
Specimen of Errors, p. 7; Fiddes's Life of Wolsey, p. 420; Poli Epistolce, vol. 
i. p. 238. a.d. 1744. 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



121 



ever after in great estimation, but also most liberally advaunced 
and rewarded, far beyond their worthy desertes. Notwithstanding, 
they prospered, and the matter went still forwarde, having now 
(as they thought) a sure staffe to stand by. 

These proceedings declared to my lord cardinall, he sent 
againe for the bishoppes, to whom he declared the effect and 
travell of these commisioners, and for affirmaunce thereof shewed 
them the instruments of every university 6 under the severall 
seales. Then this matter brought to passe, they went once 
againe to consultation, how it should be ordered to the purpose. 
— -It was then thought good and concluded, that the king should 
send unto the pope, declaring the opinions of those universities, 
which were manifestly authorized by their common seales ; to 
the which it was thought that the consent of these worthy 
prelates of this realme should be necessary to be sent also 
thither, altogether comprised in an instrument, sealed with all 
their seales annexed to the saide instrument, which was not long 
in doing ; nor was long after, but the ambassadors were assigned 
to travaille in this matter, and to take upon them this journey 
accordingly, having furthermore certaine instructions, amonge 
which one was this, that if the pope would not hereupon agree to 
give judgement definitive in the king's case, then to require 



6 The instruments of every university. ] Eight of these determinations, with 
a long discourse in support of the judgments contained in them, were printed 
soon afterwards, in one volume, under the following title : "The Determinations 
of the moste famous and mooste excellent universities of Italy and Fraunce, 
that it is so unlefull for a man to marry his brother's wyfe, that the pope hath 
no power to dispence therewith : Imprinted by Thomas Berthelet the 7. day 
of Novembre, 1531." They were also published in Latin : in which language 
they are exhibited by Bishop Burnet, in his History of the Reformation, vol. i. 
book ii. No. 34. Records. 



o 



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another commision from his holiness, to be graunted under 
leade 7 to establish a court to be kept in Englande for that 
purpose, only directed to my lord cardinall and legate of Englande, 
and to the cardinall Oampaigne (who was then, although he were 
a stranger, bishoppe of Bathe 8 , the which the king gave him at 
a certaine time, being an ambassador from the pope,) to determine 
and justly to judge according to their conscience and discretions. 
To the which after long sute made, and the good will of the sayd 
cardinall by faire promises obteined to travell into England, the 
pope graunted to their sute. And this done and atcheved, they 
made retourne unto the king, making relation unto him, that now 
his graces pleasure and purpose should be brought substantially 



7 Under leade.~] Under a leaden seal or bull, bulla plumbea. In the course 
of time the bulla gave its name to the document, to which it was, originally, 
a mere appendage. The term "Bull" is now restricted, by common usage, to the 
chief documents issuing from the papal chancery, answering to the letters 
patent of secular princes. Papal rescripts, however, as well as papal bulls, 
are "under leade," and, like them, are divided into matters of grace and 
matters of justice ; in the former the leaden bulla is attached by a silken cord, 
in the latter by a hempen twist. Metallic bulla were anciently used by the 
emperors of the East, and by many sovereigns of Europe. The doges of 
Venice used them until the extinction of the republic. Sometimes the bulla 
were of silver, sometimes of gold: the document by which, in 1356, the 
emperor Charles IV. determined the mode of election of future emperors, and 
established the constitution of the empire, is called, by way of pre-eminence, 
the Golden Bull, the bulla being of that metal. It is still preserved at Frank- 
fort. A diminutive of the word remains in common use ; Napoleon employed 
it for his official communications, or bulletins, of military news ; in England, 
it is employed for the official announcement of a royal personage's state of 
health. - 

8 Bishoppe of Bathe.~\ This appears to be an error : John Clerk was, at this 
time, bishop of Bath and Wells. Campeggio was bishop of Salisbury, which 
see had been given to him by Henry in 1 524, during a mission from the pope 
to solicit aid against the Turk. 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 123 



to passe, being never more likely, considering the state of bothe 
the judges. 

Long was the expectation on all sides for the comming of this 
legate from Kome, with his commision. After very long desire 
this legate was arrived in England, and being sore vexed with the 
disease of the goute 9 , was constrained by force thereof to make a 
longe journey or ever he came to London ; who should have bine 
most solemnely received at Blackheath, and so with triumph con- 
veied to London, but his desire was such, that he would not so be 
entertained with pompe, and vaine glory, and therefore sodainly 
came to his house without Temple barre, called then Bathe Place \ 
where he was lodged, which was furnished with all manner of 
stuffe and implements of my lord's provision. 

9 Disease of the goute.~] Du Bellay insinuates that this gout served the 
purpose sometimes of a convenient pretext, " Je luy diz mon advis estre 
que, par envoyer le Cardinal Campege, il (le Pape) vouloit mener en bride 
l'Empereur, et eulx attendront P effect des choses d'ltalie, car il pourroyt 
tousjours avancer ou retarder soulz umbres de ses gouttes, le dit Cardinal ac- 
tendant la fin, et bailler pour benefice ce qu'il auroyt faict, auquel qu'il 
vouldroyt des deulx princes, encores s'aydant la ou il vouldroyt de l'ombre 
du personnage, car il pourroyt dire a l'ung ? avoir bailie bon Anglois, a 
l'autre bon Imperial." In the same letter he says : " Une des filles de 
chambre, monseigneur, de mademoiselle de Boulan se trouva mardy actainte 
de la suee, a grant haste le roy deslogea, et alia a douze milles d'icy, et 
m'a-t-on-dict que la damoyselle fut envoyee pour le suspect au Viconte son 
frere (pere) qui est en Cainet (Kent). Jusques icy, monseigneur, l'amour 
n'a point prins de diminution. Je ne scay si l'absence avec les difficultes 
de Rome pourroyt engendrer quelque chose." The Bishop of Bayonne to the 
grand master Montmorency, Dat. London, viij. June. Le Grand, hi. 136, 136. 

1 Bathe Place.'] The Inn of the bishops of Bath was on the South side of 
the Strand ; the site of it, and, probably, of other episcopal inns, of which 
there were several near it, was afterwards occupied by Arundel House : the 
space is now occupied by Howard Street, Arundel Street, Surrey Street, and 
Norfolk Street. 

r 2 

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124 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

So then after some deliberation, and consultation in the order- 
ing and using of the king's matters, and his commision and the 
articles of his ambassage seene, read, and digested, it was deter- 
mined, that the king and the good queene, his just wife, should 
be lodged at Bridewell. And then in the Black Friars a certaine 
place was there appointed most convenient for the king and 
queene's repaire to the courte, there to be kept for the disputa- 
tion and determination of the case, whereas these two legates sat 
judges; before whom the king and queene were asscited and 
summoned to appeare ; which was a strange sight, and the newest 
device, that ever was read or heard of before, in any region, story 
or chronicle, a king and a queene to be constrained by process 
compellatory to appeare in any courte as common persons, within 
their owne realme and dominion, to abide the judgements and 
decres of their own subjects, being the royall diademe and pre- 
rogative thereof. 

} Forsoothe it is a world to consider the desirous will of wilfull 
princes, when they be set and earnestly bent to have their wills 
fulfilled, wherein no reasonable persuasions will suffice ; and how 
little they regard the dangerous sequell that may ensue as well to 
themselves as to all their subjects. And above all things, there 
is nothing that maketh them more willfull than carnall love, and 
sensuall affection of voluptuous desire, and pleasures of their 
bodies, as was in this case ; wherein nothing could be of greater 
experience than to see what inventions were furnished, what lawes 
were enacted, what costly edifications of noble and auncient 
monasteries were overthrowne 2 , what diversity of opinions then; 

2 Monasteries were overthrowne.~\ At the same time we must not forget the 
example before set by Wolsey himself, in procuring the confiscation of some 
of these, for building and endowing his colleges at Oxford and Ipswich. In 

6- — — _o 



rose, what executions were then committed, how many noble 
clerkes and good men were then for the same put to deathe, and 
what alteration of good, auncient, and holesome lawes, customes, 
and charitable foundations were tourned from reliefe of the poore, 
to utter destruction and desolation, almost to the subversion of 
this noble realme. It is sure too much pitty to heare or under- 
stand the things that have since that time chaunced and happened 
to this region. The profe thereof hath taught us all Englishmen 
the experience, too lamentable of all good men to be considered. 
If eyes be not blind men may see, if eares be not stopped they 
may heare, and if pitty be not exiled the inwarde man may 
lament the sequell of this pernicious and inordinate love. 
Although it lasted but a while, the plague thereof is not yet 
ceased, which our Lorde quenche, and take his indignation from 
us ! Qui peccavimus cum patrihus nostris, et injuste egimus. 

Ye shall understande, as I saide before, that there was a courte 
erected 3 in the Black Friars in London, whereas sat these two 



a letter from the king, given by Lord Herbert, highly honourable both to 
Henry's head and heart, he thus expresses himself, in a tone of friendly, 
anxious apprehension and warning, on this particular suhject. 

" As touching the help of religious houses to the building of your college, 
I would it were more, so it be lawfully : for my intent is none but that it 
should so appear to all the world, and the occasion of all their mumbling 
might be secluded and put away -, for surely there is great murmuring of it 
throughout all the realm, both of good and bad. They say not, that all that 
is ill gotten is bestowed upon the college, but that the college is the cloke 
for covering all mischiefs. This grieveth me to assure you, to hear it spoken 
of him which I so intirely love. Wherefore methought I could do no less 
than thus friendly to admonish you." We shall see below, in the course of 
the present narrative, that "all the revenues belonging to the college of 
Oxenforde, and Ipswiche, the kinge toke into his owne handes." 

3 A courte erected.'] For " Proceedings relating to the dissolution of the 



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126 



CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



cardinalls for judges in the same. No we I will set you out the 
manner and order of the saide courte. First, there was a courte 
planted with tables and benches, in manner of a consistory, one seat 
raised higher (for the judges to sit in) than the other were. Then 
as it were in the middest of the saide judges, aloafte above them 
three degrees highe, was a cloath of estate hanged, with a chaire 
royall under the same, wherein sat the king ; and besides him, 
some distaunce from him, sat the queene ; and under the judges 
feete sat the scribes, and other necessary officers for the execu- 
tion of the process, and other things appertaining to such a 
courte. The chiefe scribe was Doctor Stevens 4 after bishoppe of 
Winchester, and the apparitour, who was called doctor of the 
courte, was one Cooke, most commonly called Cooke of Win- 
chester. Then, before the king and the judges, within the courte, 
sat the archbishoppe of Canterbury doctor Warham, and all the 
other bishops. Then stoode at bothe endes within, the con- 
sellors learned in the spirituall lawes, as well the king's, as the 



marriage between king Henry VIII. and Catharine of Arragon, 19 Hen. VIII. 
1528/' &c. See State Trials, vol. i. p. 299—368, from Lord Herbert, &c. 

4 Was Doctor Stevens.'] Doctor Stephen Gardiner, afterwards bishop of 
Winchester, at this time in great estimation with Wolsey. In letters and 
other documents of this period he is often called Doctor Stevens. Mr. 
Granger, in the third volume of Bishop Burnet's History of the Reformation, 
p. 385, appendix, intimates that this was a colloquial vulgarism, "vulgarly, 
as Stephen Gardener was Mr. Stevyns, in Wolsey's Letter." But it is ques- 
tionable, I think, whether this is the true account of that name. The bishop 
himself, in his Declaration of his Articles against George Joye, a.d. 1546, 
fol. 3. b. of the 4to edition, thus speaks of it, "a booke, wherein he wrote, 
how Doctor Stevens (by wMche name I was then called) had deceyved hym." 
And Cavendish below adverts to this appellation in very similar terms. "To 
this embassage was appointed Dr. Stephen Gardiner, then called by the name 
of Doctor Stephens, and secretary to the king." 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 127 

queene's. The doctors of lawe for the king was doctor Sampson 5 , 
that was after bishoppe of Chichester, and doctor Bell G , which 
was after bishoppe of Worcester, with diverse other : and pro- 
curators in the same lawe, on that side, was doctor Peter 7 , who 
was after chiefe secretary, and doctor Tregonwell, with diverse 
others. 

Nowe on the other side there was a councell for the queene 
standing there ; that is to say, doctor Fisher 8 , bishop of Rochester, 
and doctor Standishe 9 , bishop of Saint Asaphe in Wales, two 
notable divines, and in especiall the bishop of Rochester, a very 
godly man ; for whose deathe many noble clerkes and good men 
lamented, who lost his heade for this cause ere it was ended, on 
Tower hill. There was also another auncient doctor, called doctor 
Ridley 10 , a very small person of stature, but surely a great and an 
excellent clerke in divinity. — Thus was the courte ordered, and 
furnished. 



5 Doctor Sampson.~\ Richard Sampson, dean of Lichfield, and, in 1536, 
dean of St. Paul's, and bishop of Chichester: translated to Lichfield 
and Coventry in 1543, and made lord president of Wales. He died in 
1554. 

6 Doctor Bell.'] John Bell, archdeacon of Gloucester, elected bishop of 
Worcester m 1539. He resigned his see in 1543, and died in 1556. 

7 Doctor Peter.'] Afterwards better known as Sir William Petre. 
s Doctor Fisher.] John Fisher, beheaded 22 June, 1536. 

9 Doctor Standishe.] Henry Standish, who was a Franciscan of Greenwich, 
a bitter enemy of Colet (see Knight's Life of Colet, p. 201), and was 
consecrated bishop of St. Asaph on the 18th of July, 1518. 

10 Doctor Ridley.] " Doctor of Divinity, who, by the name of Robert Ridley, 
was famous, not only at Cambridge, but at Paris, where he long studied ; and 
throughout Europe, by the writings of Polydore Virgil. At the charges of 
this doctor was our Nicholas [Ridley, his nephew, afterwards bishop of 
London, and martyr] long maintained at Cambridge, afterwards at Paris, 
and lastly at Louvain." — Strype's Eccl. Memor. hi. 229. 

6 — — & 



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128 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



The judges commaunded ' the crier to proclaim silence, whilest 
their commision was reade bothe to the courte and to the people 
assembled. That done, then the scribes commaunded the crier 
to call the king, by the name of " King Henry of England, come 
into the courte," and with that the king aunswered and said 
" Here." Then called he againe the queene by the name of 
"Katherine queene of Englande, come into the courte," who 
made no aunswer thereto, but rose incontinent out of her chaire, 
whereas she sat, and because she could not come to the king 
directly, for the distance severed betweene them, she toke paine 
to goe about by the courte, and came to the king, kneeling downe 
at his feete in the sight of all the courte and people, to whom she 
sayd in effect these words 2 , in broken Englishe, as hereafter 
folio weth. 

1 The judges commaunded.'] May 21, 1529. Lord Herbert, in State Trials, 
vol. i. p. 317. 

2 In effect these words."} Upon all this process the reader may consult 
Burnet's History of the Reformation, vol. iii. p. 46 — 48. The bishop affirms 
positively that the king did not appear personally, but by proxy; and that the 
queen withdrew after reading a protest against the competency of her judges. 
" And from this it is clear (says the bishop), that the speeches that the his- 
torians have made for them, are all plain falsities." It is no easy matter to 
contradict the confident affirmation of the historian, and the alleged autho- 
rity upon which he professes to rely, which is corroborated also by Fox's 
Acts, p. 958 ; but at the same time, it must be observed, that the testimony 
for the personal appearance of the king before the cardinals is surprisingly 
powerful ; and this, even though we do not go beyond Cavendish, and the 
other ordinary historians. But in addition to these, we may refer to the 
authority of William Thomas, clerk of the council in the reign of king 
Edward VI., and a well-informed writer : who, in a professed Apology for 
Henry VIII., addressed to the noted Peter Aretin, "the scourge of princes," 
which is still extant in MS. autogr. in the British Museum, in the Lambeth 
and other libraries, and printed in the year 1774, speaking of this affair, 
affirms, "that the cardinal (Campeggio) caused the king as a private partie 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 129 

'(Sir," quoth she, " I beseeche you to doe me justice and right, 
and take some pitty upon me, for I am a poore woman and a 
straunger, borne out of your dominion, having here no indifferent 
counsell, and lesse assuraunce of friendship. Alas ! Sir, what 
have I offended you, or what occaision of displeasure have I 
shewed you, intending thus to put me from you after this sorte ? 
I take God to my judge, I have bine to you a true and an humble 
wife, ever conformable to your will and pleasure, that never con- 
strained or gainesayd any thing thereof, and being alwaies con- 
tented with all things wherein you had any delight or daliaunce, 
whether it were little or much, without grudge or countenaunce 
of discontentation or displeasure. I loved for your sake all men 
whome ye loved, whether I had cause or no cause ; or whether 
they were my friends or enemies. I have bine your wife this 
twenty yeares or more, and ye have had by me diverse children. 

'f And when ye had me at the first, I take God to my judge, 
that I was a very maide ; and whether it be true or no, I put it 
to your conscience. If there be any just cause that ye can 
alleadge against me, either of dishonesty or other matter lawfull 
to put me from you, I am content to departe to my shame and 
rebuke ; and if there be none, then I pray you let me have justice 
at your handes. The king your father was in his time of such an 
excellent wit, that he was accompted among all men for his wis- 
dome to be a second Solomon. And the king of Spaine my father 
Ferdinand, was reckoned to be one of the wisest princes that 
reigned in Spaine, many yeares before his daies : and so they were 

in person to appeare before him, and the ladie Katharin both." p. 31, MS. 
(or p. 27, printed edition.) And yet Lord Herbert gathers from an " au- 
thentic record," that the king appeared (notwithstanding what the chronicles 
say), only by his proctor. — See also State Trials, vol. i. p. 319. 

s 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



bothe wise men and noble kings. It is not therefore to be doubted, 
but that they had gathered together as wise counsellors unto them 
of every realme, as to their wisdomes they thought meete. And, 
as me semeth, there were in those daies as wise and well learned 
men in bothe realmes as be now at this day, who thought the 
marriage between You and Me good and lawfull. Therefore it is 
a wonder to heare what new inventions are now invented against 
me, that never intended but honesty. And now to cause me to 
stand to the order and judgement of this courte, it should, as 
semeth me, doe me much wronge : for ye may condemne me for 
lack of aunswer, having no counsell but such as you have assigned 
me. Ye must consider that they cannot be indifferent on my 
parte, when they be your own subjects, and such as ye have taken 
and chosen out of your owne counsell, whereunto they are privy, 
and dare not disclose your will and intent. Therefore I humbly 
desire you, in the way of charity to spare me, untill I may knowe 
what counsell and advise my friends in Spaine will advise me to 
take. And if you will not, then your pleasure be fulfilled." And 
with that she rose up and made a low courtesy to the king, and 
departed from thence, many supposing that she would have 
resorted againe to her former place ; but she toke her way 
streight out of the courte, leaning upon the arme of one of her 
servauntes, who was her General Receiver, called Mr. Grifnthe. 
The king being advertised that she was ready to goe out of the 
house whereas the courte was kept, commaunded the crier to call 
her againe, who called her by these wordes, " Katherine queene 
of Englande, come into the courte." With that quoth Mr. 
Griffithe " Madame ye be called againe." " On, on," quoth she, 
c; it maketh no matter, it is no indifferent courte for me, therefore 
I will not tarry. Goe on your waies." And thus she departed,/ 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 131 



without any further aunswer, at that time, or any other, and 
never would appeare after in any other courte. 

The king perceiving she was departed thus, and considering 
her wordes which she pronounced before time, saide to the 
audience these wordes in effect. "*For as much," quothe he, "as 
the queene is gone, I will, in her absence, declare unto you all, 
that she hath bine to me as true, as obedient, and as conformable 
a wife as I could wishe or desire. She hath all the virtuous 
qualities that ought to be in a woman of her dignity, or in any 
other of a baser estate. She is also surely a noble woman borne, 
her conditions will well declare the same." With that quoth the 
lord cardinall " Sir, I most humbly require your highness to 
declare before all this audience, whether I have bine the cheife 3 
and first mover of this matter unto your majesty or no ; for I 
am greatly suspected of all men herein." '( My lord cardinall " 
quoth the king " I can well excuse you in this matter. Mary 
(quoth he), ye have bine rather against me in the attempting 
hereof, than a setter forthe, or a mover of the same. The speciall 
cause that moved me unto this matter was, a certaine scrupu- 
losity that pricked my conscience, upon certaine wordes spoken 
at a time by the bishop of Bayon 4 , the Frenche ambassador, who 
had bine hither sent upon the debating of a marriage to be con- 
cluded betweene the princess our daughter, the lady Mary, and 
the duke of Orleaunce second sonne to the king of Fraunce. 



3 Whether I have bine the cheife.'] See p. 118. See also Le Neve's Animad- 
versions on Phillips's Life of Cardinal Pole, p. 62. 

4 Bishop of Bayon.'] The Bishop of Bayonne was Jean du Bellay; see note 
to p. 106. Bayon, however, is certainly a mistake, for it was not Du Bellay, 
but Gabriel de Gramont, bishop of Tarbes, who, jointly with others, in April 
1527, negociated this treaty. See note at p. 66. 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



And upon the consultation and determination of the same, he 
desired respite to advertise the king his master thereof, whether 
our daughter Mary should be legitimate, in respect of this my 
marriage with this woman, being sometime my brother's wife. 
Which wordes once conceived in the secrete bottom of my con- 
science, engendered such a scrupulous doubt, that my conscience 
was incontinently accombred, vexed, and disquieted ; whereby I 
thought myself to be in great danger of God's indignation; 
which appeared to me, as me semed, the rather for that he sent 
us no issue male ; and all such issues male, as my said wife had 
by me, died incontinent after they came into the world ; so that 
I doubted the great displeasure of God in that behalfe. Thus 
my conscience being tossed in the waves of scrupulous doubtes, 
and partly in despaire to have any other issue than I had already 
by this lady now my wife, it behoved me further to consider the 
state of this realme, and the danger it stode in for lack of a 
prince to succeede me. I thought it good therefore in release 
of the weighty burden of my weak conscience, and also the quiet 
state of this worthy realme, to attempt the lawe therein, whether 
I may lawfully take an other wife more lawfull, without spot of 
carnall concupisence, by whom God may send me more issue, in 
case this my first copulation was not good : and not for any dis- 
pleasure or misliking of the queene's person and age, with whom 
I could be as well contented to continue, if our marriage may 
stande with the lawes of God, as with any woman alive ; in which 
pointe consisteth all this doubt that we goe nowe about to try by 
the learning, wisedom, and judgement, of you our prelates and 
pastors, of all this our realme and dominion, now here assembled 
for that purpose ; to whose conscience and learning I have com- 
mitted the charge and judgement, according to the which I will 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 133 

(God willing) be right well content to submit myselfe, and for 
my parte obey the same. Wherein after I perceived my con- 
science so doubtfull, I moved it in confession to you, my lord of 
Lincolne 5 , then my ghostly father. And for as much as then 
you yourself were in some doubt, you moved me to ask counsell 
of all you my lordes ; whereupon I moved it to you my lorde of 
Caunterbury, first to have your license, (in so much as ye were 
metropolitaine) to put this matter in question ; and so I did of 
you all, my lordes, to which all ye graunted under all your seales, 
and that I have here to be shewed." " That is truth, if it please 
your grace," quoth the bishoppe of Canterbury, " I doubt not but 
that my brethren here present will acknowledge the same." " No 
sir, not so, under your correction," quothe the bishoppe of Ro- 
chester, "for you have not mine, no." " Ah," quoth the king, 
"loke here, is not this your hand and your seale?" and shewed 
him the instrument with seales, " No forsoothe," quoth the 
bishop. " How say you to that," quoth the king to my lord of 

6 To you, my lord of Lincolne.'] John Longland. " In a manuscript Life of 
Sir Thomas More, written not many years after Longland's death, this 
account is given : * I have heard Dr. Draycot, that was his ' (Longland's) 
' chaplain and chancellor say, that he once told the bishop, what rumour ran 
upon him in that matter ; and desired to know of him the very truth. Who 
answered, that in very deed he did not break the matter after that sort, as is 
said; but the king brake the matter to him first ; and never left urging him, 
until he had won him to give his consent. Of which his doings he did fore- 
think himself, and repented afterward.' MSS. Coll. Eman. Cantab." Baker's 
Notes on Burnet's History of the Reformation j in Burnet, vol. iii. p. 400, 
Appendix. The same life is among the MSS. in the Lambeth Library, 
No. 827 (see fol. 12), and in the British Museum, Harleian 6253 (see fol. 19), 
and, there is reason to think, was composed about the year 1556, and by Nicolas 
Harpsfield. From these concurrent testimonies it should appear, that the 
charge which has been often urged against Wolsey, that it was through his 
intrigues that Longland first suggested his scruples to the king, is unfounded. 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



Caunturbury. "Sir, it is his hand, and his seale," said my 
lorde of Caunterbury. " No, my lorde," quoth the bishop of 
Rochester. " Indeede you were in hand with me to have bothe 
my hand and seale, as other of my lordes have done ; but then I 
saide againe to you, I would never consent to any such acte, for 
it was much against my conscience ; and therefore my hand and 
seale shall never be set to any such instrument, God willing, 
with much more matter touching the same communication be- 
tween us." " You say truthe," quoth the bishop of Caunterbury, 
" such wordes you had unto me ; but you were fully resolved at 
last, that I should subscribe your name, and put to your seale 
myself e, and you would alio we the same." " All which," quoth 
the bishop of Rochester, " under your correction, my lord, is not 
true." " Well, well," quoth the king, " it maketh no great 
matter ; we will not stand with you in argument : you are but 
one man." — And with that the king rose up, and the courte was 
adjourned untill an other day. 

IThe next courte day the cardinall sat againe, at which time 
the councell on both sides were there ready presently to aunswer. 
The king's counsell all edged the matrimony not to be lawful at the 
beginning, because of the carnall copulation had betwene prince 
Arthur and the queene. This matter was very sore and vehe- 
mently touched on that side ; and to prove the carnall copulation 
they alleadged many reasons and similitudes of truthe. And 
being aunswered againe negatively on the other side, it seemed 
that all their former allegations were very doubtfull to be tried, 
and that no man knewe the truth. " Yes," quoth the bishop of 
Rochester, "I knowe the truth." "How knowe you," quoth 
my lord cardinall, " more than any other person ?" " Yes for- 
soothe my lorde," quoth he, " Quia ego sum professor veritatis, 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 135 

therefore I knowe the truth. I know that God is truth itselfe, 
and he never sayeth but truth ; and God saith, quos Deus con- 
junxit, homo non separet. And forasmuch as this marriage was 
joined and made by God to a good intent, I say that I knowe the 
truthe ; and that men cannot break, upon any wilfull occaision, 
that which God hath made and constituted." " Soe much doe all 
faithful men," quoth my lord cardinall, " know as well as you. 
Yet this reason is not sufficient in this case : for the king's 
counsell doe alleadge diverse presumptions, to prove that it was 
not lawfull at the beginning, ergo, it was not ordained by God, for 
God doeth nothing without a due order. Therefore it is not to 
be doubted, but if the presumptions be true, which they alleadge 
to be most true, then the conjunction was not, ne could be, of 
God. Therefore I say unto you, my lord of Rochester, ye know 
not the truthe, unless ye can avoide their presumption by just 
reasons." " Then," quoth one Doctor Ridley, " it is a shame 
and a great dishonour to this honorable presence, that any such 
presumptions should be alleadged in this open courte, which be 
too detestable to be rehearsed.'" " What," quoth my lord cardi- 
nall, " Domine Doctor, inagis remrenter? "No, no, my lord," 
quoth he, " there belongeth no reverence to be given to this 
matter ; for an unreverent matter would be unreverently an- 
swered." And there they lefte, and proceeded forthe with other 
matter. 
C Thus this courte passed from session to session 6 , and day to 

6 From session to session!] — " Pour le jour que nous eusmes, monsieur le 
legat et moy, nos disputes ensemble, nous demontasmes ung peu nous re- 
gardans de coste ; le lendemain fusmes grands amys,, et il me vint aprendre une 
longue histoire de tous ses actes qu'il avoit fait contre Popinion et vouloir de 
toute Angleterre, et ce qu'il faisoit encore et avoit delibere continuer de faire, 
qu'il luy falloyt user d'un terrible alquemye et dexterite en ses affaires ; car il 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



day, till at a certaine day of their session the king sent for my 
lord cardinall to come to him to Bridewell ; who to accomplish 
his commaundement went to him, and being there with him in 
communication in his privy chamber from an eleven untill twelve 
of the clocke at noone, and past, my lord departed from the king 
and toke his barge at the Blackfriars, and went to his house at 
Westminster. The bishop of Carlile 7 being in his barge at that 
time, saide unto him, (winding of his face,) "It is a very hot 
day." " Yea my lorde," quoth the cardinall, "if ye had bine as 
well chafed 8 as I have bine within this houre, ye would say it were 

y avoit des gens qui l'esclairoient si pres, qu'a la moindre occasion du monde 
qu'ils auroyent de calomrrier ses diets actes, et de montrer qu'il fust trop for- 
mel pour nostre party, oublyant le bien et proffit de son maistre, ils se y voul- 
droyent attacher s'il estoit possible qui ne seroy t nostre proffit, car la ou il luy 
seroit diminue de son credit, nous en sentirions assez tost, et pour ce qu'on 
advise tousjours et qu'on pense bien que e'est que honnestement il peult 
faire, et que le roy et madame jugent que e'est qu'ils prendroient a bien etre 
fait pour leur amy, par celluy a qui ils auroient bailie la totalle charge de 
leurs affaires, et qu'ils n'en actendent plus que moins de luy, mais que quoy 
qu'il y ait, il faut qu'il dresse ainsi tous ses faits, qu'il puisse monstrer au roy 
son maistre et a son conseil, que ceste amitie ne leur est point desavanta- 
geuse, et qu'il est soigneux et diligent de penser a son bien et honneur, 
comme de fait il est, plusqu'a toutes aultres choses, ne voulant nyer, ains 
affermant suz tout ce qu'il tient de Dieu, que apres le bien de son dit maistre 
il a le nostre en recommandation plus que nul autre." Bishop of Bayonne 
to Montmorency, 10 Aug. (1528.) Le Grand, iii. 157. 

7 Bishop of Carlile.'] John Kite, afterwards archbishop of Armagh. 

8 As well chafed.'] " Au demourant j'ay sceu que mademoiselle de Boulan 
est retournee a la court; les lettres interceptees que m'envoyates de cette 
matiere, leur ont donne a penser. On m'a dit a propos de ce qu'en avois dit 
a monsieur le Legat il y a plus d'ung mois comme vous escriviz, que je suis 
mauvais devin, et pour vous dire ma fantaisie je croy que le roy en est si 
avant, qu'aultre que Dieu ne Ten scauroit oster. Quant a monsieur le legat, 
je pense qu'il ne scayt pas bien ou il en est, quelque dissimulation qu'il en 
faize, et m'a este diet d'assez bon lieu, toutefois que je ne vouldroye bailler 
pour tout certain, que ung peu devant ce sutin (this sweating sickness), le 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 137 

very hot." And as soon as he came home to his house at West- 
minster, he went incontinent to his naked bed, where he had not 
lyen fully two houres, but that my lorde of Wiltshire, mistress 
Anne Bulleines father, came to speake with him of a message 
from the kinge. My lord, understanding of his comming, com- 
maunded he should be brought to his bedde's side ; and he being 
there shewed them the king's pleasure was, that he should incon- 
tinently goe with the other cardinall to the queene whoe was then 
in Bridewell, in her chamber there, to perswade with her by their 
wisdomes, and to advise her to surrender the whole matter unto 
the king's handes by her owne consent and will ; which should 
be muche better to her honor, than to stande to the triall of 
lawe, and thereby to be condemned, which would seem much to 
her dishonour. To fulfill the king's pleasure, my lord saide, he 
was ready, and would prepare him to goe thither out of hande, 
but quoth he farther to my lord of Wiltshire, "".Ye and other 
my lordes of the counsell, are not a little mis-advised, to put any 
such fantasy into the king's head, whereby you doe trouble all 
the realme ; and at length get you shall small thankes for your 
laboures, both of God and the world," with many other vehement 
wordes and reasons, which caused my lord of Wiltshire to weepe 9 , 
kneling by my lorde's bedde side, and in conclusion departed. 
And then my lord arose, and made him ready, taking his barge, 
and went streight to Bathe Place to cardinall Oampeigne * ; and so 

roy luy usa de terribles termes a cause qu'il sembloit Fen vouloir refroidir, et 
luy monstrer que le pape ne se y vouloit condescendre." Bishop of Bayonne 
to Montmorency, 20 Aug. 1528. Le Grand, iii. 164. 

9 To weepe.'] "To be silent." MS. 250. Lamb. Libr. 

1 To cardinall Campeigne.~] " Au demourant, monseigneur, je vous advise que 
Jeudy dernier fut apporte Campege faire la reverence au roy, et le print 
monsieur le legat en son logis en passant. Nous fusmes tous a reparer 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



they went together to Bridewell, directly to the queene's lodging ; 
and being in her chamber of presence they shewed the gentleman 
usher that they came to speak with the queene's grace. The 
gentleman usher advertised the queene, that the cardinalls were 
come to speake with her. With that she rose up, and with a 
skaine of white thread about her necke, came into her chamber 
of presence, where the cardinalls were attending her comming. 
At whose comming, quoth she, " Alack my lordes, I am very 
sorry to make you attend upon me ; what is your pleasure with 



l'assistence, son secretaire feist une belle harengue, par laquelle apres les 
deplorations de la mine de Rome, et les grans et bons mercyemens des bons 
offres faits, taut auparavant la dite mine que du depuis, a nostre Saint Pere et 
tout le Saint Siege, par le Deffenseur de la Foy, et quelques exhortemens a la 
paix, il promit de la part de nostre-dit Saint Pere que, tant en general qu'en 
particulier et mesmes es affaires dont il luy avoit fait toucher, tout ce que ung 
bon fils peult et doibt actendre de grace d'ung tres indulgent et liberal pere, 
comme plus privement et a part luy diroient les deux cardinaux la presens 
envoyez par sa dicte sainctete pour les choses susdites. II fut respondu par 
docteur Fouques, celluy qui a S. Paoul vous feist la harengue, bien assailly, 
bien deffendu, ils entrerent en la chambre du roy, et furent longuement 
ensemble. Depuis le roy est venu plusieurs fois a privee compagnie veoir 
le dit cardinal, la royne pareillement une fois, monsieur le legat y est quasi 
tous les jours. Hier se commencerent les approches, les deux cardinaux 
ensemble vinrent vers la dite royne qui ne leur faillyt de responce, se 
plaignant fort, sans touttefois en riens s'eschauffer, qu'ils vinssent pour la 
interroguer en si haulte et si pres touchante matiere, sans l'avoir advertye 
devant, ne donne loisir de prendre conseil, mesmes estant femme et estran- 
gere ; ils passerent plus avant en matiere et furent longtemps ensemble, y 
ayant toutefois appelle monsieur de Londres, l'evesque cordelier, monsieur 
de Cantorbery, et ung aultre. Ce jour a eu repos et n'a bouge monsieur le 
legat d'avec le roy en conseil, la pluspart du temps ils ont, a ce que je voy, 
assez affaire, si tiens-je, quoy qu'aucuns disent qu'ils passeront oultre et le 
plustost qu'ils pourront. Je croy bien que Campege vouldroit differer, mais 
la matiere est trop chaude." Bishop of Bayonne to Montmorency, Dat. 
London, 18 Oct. 1528. Le Grand, iii. 189. 



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mee?" " If it please your grace," quoth my lorde, " to goe into 
your privy chamber, we will shewe you the cause of our com- 
ming." " My lord, 1 ' quoth she, "if you have any thing to say, 
speake it openly before all these folkes ; for I feare nothing that 
ye can say or alleadge against me, but that I would all the worlde 
should bothe heare and see it : and therefore speake your minds 
openly, I pray you." Then began my lorde to speake to her in 
Latine. " Nay good my lorde," quoth she, " speake to me in 
Englishe, for I can, I thanke God, both speake and understande 
English ; although I doe understande some Latine." " For- 
soothe," quoth my lord, "good Madame, we come bothe to 
knowe, if it please your grace, your minde, how you are dis- 
posed to doe in this matter betweene the king and you, and also 
to declare secretly our opinions and counsell unto you, which we 
doe only for very zeale and obedience we beare unto your grace." 
" My lord," quoth she, " I thanke you for your good will ; but 
to make an aunswer to your requestes I cannot so sodainly, for I 
was set among my maides at worke, thinking full little of any 
such mattere, wherein there nedeth a longe deliberation, and a 
better heade than mine, to make aunswer ; for I nede of counsell 
in this case, which toucheth mee too neare ; and for any coun- 
sell or friendship that I can find in Englande, they are not for 
my proffit. What thinke you, I pray you, my lordes ; will any 
Englishman counsell me, or be friendly to me against the king^s 
pleasure, that is his subject ? Nay forsoothe : and as for my 
counsell in whom I will put my trust, they be not here ; they be 
in Spaine in mine own country. Also my lordes, I am a poore 
woman lacking wit, to aunswer to any such noble persons of 
wisdome, as ye be, in so weighty a matter. Therefore I pray 
you be good unto me, a poore woman destitute and barren of 

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140 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

friendship here in a forraine country : and your counsell also I 
will be glad to heare." 

And therewith she toke my lord cardinal! by the hande, and 
led him into her privie chamber, with the other cardinall ; where 
they tarried a season talking with the queene, and we might hear 
her very loude, but what she said we could not tell. The com- 
munication ended, they departed and went to the king, making 
to him relation of her talke ; and after returned home to their 
houses to supper. 

Thus this strange case went forwarde from courte to courte, 
untill it came to the judgment, so that every man expected the 
judgment would be given the next court day. At which day the 
king came thither, and sat him downe in a chaire, within a dore 
in the ende of the gallery, which opened directly against the 
judgment seate, to heare the judgment given ; at which time all 
then* proceedings were openly read in Latine. That done, the 
kings counsell at the barre, called fast for judgment. With that, 
quoth cardinall Campaine, "fl will not give judgement 2 till I 
have made relation to the pope of all our proceedings, whose 
counsell and commaundement in this case I will observe. The 
matter is too highe for us to give any hasty judgement, con- 
sidering the highness of the persons, and the doubtful occasions 
alleadged ; and also whose commisioners we be, under whose 
authority we sit. It were therefore reason, that we should make 
our chiefe head of counsell in the same, before we procede to 
judgement definitive. I come not to speake for favour, mede, or 
dread of any person alive, be he king or otherwise. I have no 
such respect to the person that I will offend my conscience. I 

2 Will not give judgement. ,] Compare Lord Herbert, in State Trials, vol. i. 
p. 333 and 338, 9. The date is July 23, 1529. 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. Ill 



will not for the favour or displeasure of any highe estate doe 
that thing that should be against the will of God. I am an ould 
man, bothe weake and sickly, that loketh daily for deathe. What 
should it availe me to put my soule in daunger of Gods dis- 
pleasure, to my utter damnation, for the favour of any prince or 
high estate in this world I My being here is only to see justice 
ministred according to my conscience, which thing myselfe 
doe also most desyer. And forasmuch as I doe understande, 
having perceivance by the allegations in the matter, the case is 
very doubtful, and also the party defendaunt will make no aunswer 
here, but doth rather appeale from us, supposing that we be 
not indifferent, considering the kings high dignity and authority 
within his owne realme which he hath over his subjects ; and we 
being his subjects, she thinketh that we cannot doe justice for 
feare of displeasure ; therefore to avoide all these ambiguities 
and doubts, (I_wiU not damne my soule for any prince or poten- 
tate alive. Therefore, 1 intend not to wade any farther in this 
matter, unles I have the just opinion and assent of the pope, 
and such other of more auncient experience, or as be sene better 
in such doubtful laws, than I am. Wherefore I will adjourne 
this courte, for this time, according to the order of the courte of 
Rome, from whence semblably our jurisdiction is derived. And 
if we should goe further than our commision doeth warrant us, 
it were great folly and much to our blames : and we may be 
breakers of the order of the high courte from which (as I said) 
our authorities be derived. 11 — And with that the courte was dis- 
solved, and no more done. 

Then stept forthe the duke of Suffolke 3 from the kinge, by his 

3 The duke of SuffolJce.~\ Charles Brandon, duke of Suffolk, the king's bro- 
ther-in-law. These proceedings led the way to the next great step in the 

_ O 



commaundement, and spake with an hault countenaunce these 
wordes, f It was never merry in Englande," (quoth he,) " while 

progress of the Reformation, the renunciation of the pope's authority, and 
the establishment of the regal supremacy. The following account of the 
manner in which these questions were first brought to the king's mind may 
not be unacceptable to the reader. 

" Now unto that you say, that because pope Clement would not dispense 
with his second matrimonie, his majestie extirped out of England the papal 
authoritie, a thinge of most auncient and godly reverence as you take it, I 
aunsweare that after the kinges highness had so appeared in person before 
the cardinal Campegio, one of the princes of his realme, named the duke of 
Suffolk, a great wise man, and of more familiaritie with the kinge, than any 
other person, asked his majestie s how this matter might come to passe, that 
a prince in his own realme should so humble himself before the feet of a vile, 
strange, vitious priest,' (for Campegio there in England demeaned himself in 

very deed most carnally ). Whereunto the king aunswered, 'he could 

not tell ; but only that it seemed unto him, the spiritual men ought to judge 
spiritual matters ; and yet as you saye (sayd the king) me seemeth there 
should be somewhat in it, and I would right gladly understand, why and 
how, were it not that I would be loth to appeare more curious than other 
princes.' ' Why sir (sayd the duke) your majestie may cause the matter to 
be discussed secretly by your learned men, without any rumour at all.' e Very 
well (sayd the kinge), and so shall it be.' And thus inspired of God, called 
he diverse of his trusty and great doctours unto him : charging them dis- 
tinctly to examine, what lawe of God should directe so carnal a man as Cam- 
pegio, under the name of spiritual, to judge a king in his owne realme. Accord- 
ing unto whose commandment, these doctors resorting together into an ap- 
pointed place, disputed this matter large et stride, as the case required. And 
as the blacke by the white is knowen, so by conferring the oppositions toge- 
ther, it appeared that the evangelical lawe varied much from the canon lawes 
in this pointe. So that in effect, because two contraries cannot stand in uno 
subjecto, eodem casu et tempore, they were constrained to recurre unto the 
kinges majesties pleasure, to knowe whether of these two lawes should be 
preferred, who smiling at the ignorance of so fonde a question aunsweared, 
that the gospell of Christ ought to be the absolute rule unto all others; com- 
manding them therefore to followe the same, without regard either to the 
civile, canon, or whatsoever other lawe. And here began the quicke : for 
these doctours had no sooner taken the gospel for their absolute rule, but 







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143 



we had any cardinalls 4 amongst us :" which wordes were set forthe 
bothe with countenaunce and vehemency, that all men marvailed 

they found this popish authoritie over the kinges and princes of this earth to 
be usurped : for Peter hymself, whose successor the pope presumeth to be, 
commaundeth all Christians to obey and honour kynges or princes with feare 
and reverence, because the kynges of the earth are ordeyned of God ; and so 
sayth Paul, and so sayth Solomon : and so Chryst hymselfe by example hath 
commaunded, when entryng into Capernaum, he humbled hymself unto the 
payment of the princes custome. And if Peter, Paul, Solomon, and Christ 
hym self (sayd they) have directed us to the obedience of kynges in the tyme 
when there was no Christian kynge in the world, how much more now ought 
all Christians to obey their princes absolutely, when they, the kynges them- 
selves are not onely membres of the selfe body of Christ, butt also ministeres 
of the Christian justice. And what greater dishonour (sayde they) can a 
kynge receyve, than in his owne realme to be made a subjecte, and to appere 
not before another vertuous kynge, or emperor, but before one growne of a 
dung-hill, to answere in judgment ? Thys (sayde they) proceeded not of the 
divine law, but rather the contrary, for as much as the spiritual office of the 
Christian religion procedeth altogether by charitable counsaile. From their 
just and evangelical conclusion his highness resolved of that he had to do, 
with patience of his passed errour, he licensed the sayde Cardinal Campegio 
to return to Rome, not so highly rewarded as the sayde Cardinal loked for, 
nor yet with such commission, as pope Clement thought should have mended 
hys hungrye purse, for the new lycence that he had prepared unto the kynges 
second marriage. For, incontinently after Campegio's departure, the kynge 
assailed in conscience of his first divorced matrimonye, both by the law of God, 
and also by the publique consent of the whole church of England, and hys 
Barons, and hys Commons, proceded unto his second matrymonye, without 
further bribe or sute unto the pope, so that Clement seyng hys lyne broken, 
and the fish escaped with the hooke or bayte, like a mad ragyng dog vomited 
his fulminacions, and by consistorial sentence excommunicated both kynge 
and country ; affirmyng that the kynge began to rebell agaynst the Romayne 
see, for none other reason but because hys holy fatherhed woulde not graunte 
hym the licence of the new mariage ; and with this new blesyng brought 
the kynge in slaunder of the ignoraunt supersticious world." William Tho- 
mas's Apology for king Henry the Eighth, written a.d. 1547, p. 34. Lambeth 
Library, MS. No. 464. The original, in the author's own hand, is in the 
British Museum, Cotton MS. Vespas. D. xviii. [The 



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144 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

what he intended : to whome no man made aunswer. Then the 
duke spake againe in great despight. To the which my lord cardinal 
perceiving his vehemency, soberly maide aunswer, and saide, 
a Sir, of all men within this realme, ye have least cause to dis- 
praise cardinalls : for, if I, poore cardinall, had not bine, you 
should have had at this present no head upon your shoulders, 
wherewith you might make any such bragge, in despight of us, 
who intend you no manner of damage ; neither have we given 

The work has been printed under the title of the " Works of William 
Thomas, Clerk of the Privy Council in the year 1549, by Abraham D'Aubant, 
Esq., London. 1774." 8vo. The passage here quoted will be found pp. 28 — 33. 

In further pursuance of the main object of this note, we may remark, that 
Lord Herbert, after describing the dismissal of the suits by "the sudden 
advocation of the cause to the pope, and the inhibiting further proceedings in 
England," subjoins a hint, that "the consequences thereof extended further 
yet than our king then thought, or the pope would easily have imagined." State 
Trials, vol. i. p. 334. 8vo. — The people too began to sympathize with the 
king as an aggrieved person, and to resent the neglect and insult to the nation 
by these subterfuges and delays, as in a case in which the stability of the 
succession, and with that the peace and welfare of the whole kingdom, were 
deeply interested. Hence the House of Lords, in a Declaration to the Pope 
(July, 1530), subscribed by their own hands and seals, significantly reminded 
him, (after complaining how long they had fruitlessly and in vain sought re- 
dress,) that the affair "will not be wholly desperate, since it is possible to find 
relief some other way. Desperate remedies indeed are not without extremity 
to be applied ; but he that is sick, will by any means get rid of his distemper." 
Ibid. p. 344. — The Pope a "distemper," plainly indicated the probability of 
an approaching crisis. 

4 While we had any cardinalls.~\ The intrigues and other evils which car- 
dinals brought along with them wherever they came, had involved their name 
in a degree of proverbial disrepute. Even so early as the days of Piers 
Ploughman, written by Robert Longlande, about 1360, we learn, that there 
was a general outcry against them. 

" The commune clamat quotidie, ech a man to other, 
The contry is the cursseder that cardinals comen in." 

Vision of Piers Ploughman, fol. 110. edit. 1550. 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 145 



you any cause, to be with such despight offended. I would you 
knew it my lord, I and my brother here intend the king and 
this realme, as much honor, wealthe, and quietness, as you or 
any other, of what degree soever he be, within this realme ; and 
would as gladly accomplish his lawful desire. Sir, I pray you my 
lord, shew me what you would doe in case you were the kings 
commisioner in a forraine country, having a very weighty matter 
to treat on : and upon the doubtful conclusion thereof, would you 
not advertise the kings majesty or ere ye went through with the 
same ? Yes, I doubt not. Therefore put your hasty malice and 
despight away, and consider that we be but commisioners for a 
time, and cannot, ne may not, by virtue of our commision 
procede to judgement, without the knowledge and consent of the 
heade of our authority, and licence of him obtained ; which is the 
pope. Therefore we doe neither more nor lesse than our warrant 
will beare us ; and if any man will be offended with us therefore, 
he is an unwise man. Therefore hold your peace, my lord, and 
pacify yourselfe, and speak like a man of honor and wisdome, 
and speak not so quickly or reproachfully to your friends ; for 
you know best what friendship 5 I have shewed you, which I 
never yet revealed to any person alive before nowe, neither to my 
glory, nor to your dishonor." And therewith the duke gave over 
the matter, without any further wordes or aunswer, and went his 

( This matter continued thus a longe season, and my lord 



5 You know best what friendship."] Alluding to the exercise of his influence 
upon Henry, to reconcile that monarch to the duke's marriage with his sister, 
the queen of France. For an account of this great obligation of the duke of 
Suffolk to the cardinal, see Grove's History of the Life and Times of Cardinal 
Wolsey, vol, ii. p. 254. 



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146 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

cardinall was in displeasure 6 with the king, for that the matter in 
his sute toke no better successe to his purpose : notwithstanding, 
my lord excused him by his commision, which gave him no 
authority to procede in judgement, without knowledge of the 
pope, who reserved the same to himselfe. 

At the last they were advertised by their post, that the pope 
would take deliberation in the matter, until his courtes opened, 
which should not be before Bartholmewe tide next 7 . The king 
considering the same too long before it should be determined, 
thought it good to send an ambassador to the pope, to perswade 
with him to she we such honorable favor to his majesty, that 
the matter might sooner be ended, than it was like to be, or 
else at the next courte to rule the matter over, according to his 
request. 

To this embassage 8 was appointed doctor Stephen Gardiner, 

6 Was in displeasure.'] Compare Lord Herbert, in State Trials, vol. i. p. 
338, 9. 

7 Bartholmewe tide next."] August 24th, 1529. 

8 To this embassage.'] " Monseigneur, actendant de fermer mon pacquet 
au partement de la maree, ay eu d'assez bon lieu que la charge du docteur 
Stephen est, entre autre chose, de dire a nostre Saint Pere que s'il ne fait pro- 
ceder le cardinal Campege a ce divorce, et s'en depescher, le roy d'Angleterre 
se levera de son obei'ssance, et qu'il le tienne pour tout certain, qui est chose 
correspondante a ce que vous mets dans mes lettres : le diet Campege 
m'estoit venu ce jour surprendre en mon logis, en ce quoy eu le loisir de luy 
parler a part ; j'ai mis peine de l'enfoncer en cette matiere, mais je voy bien 
qu'il n'ose parler, qui me fait presumer que par aventure le dit Stephen ne 
vous aura aussi voulu tout dire, toutefois, s'il l'aura fait, j'ay pense ne pou- 
voir faillir a vous en dire ce que j'en puis penser et entendre. Et croyez 
monseigneur, que monsieur le legat est en grande peine, car la chose en est 
si avant, que si elle ne vient en effet, le roy son maistre s'en prendra a luy, et 
la ou eile s'achevera encore void il qu'il aura a faire a forte partie. M. Cheny 
que connoissez, avoit offense ces jours passez le dit legat, et pour ce etoit 
mis hors de la cour ; la damoiselle l'y a remis, voulsist ou non, et s'il n'a 

6 — 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 147 

then called by the name of doctor Stephens, and secretary to the 
king, who after was made bishop of Winchester. This doctor 
Stephens went thither, and there tarried till the latter end of 
sommer, as ye shall hear hereafter. 

Then the king commanded the queene to be removed out of 
the courte, and sent to another place ; and his highness rode in 
his progress, with Mrs. Anne Bullen in his company 9 all that 
season. 

It was so that the cardinall Campaigne made sute to be dis- 

ete sans luy mander rudes paroles, pensez que ce pourra estre apres l'effet. 
Le due de Norfolk et sa bande commencent desja a parler gros, toutefois ils 
ont affaire a plus fin qu'eux sans datte." Bishop of Bayonne to Montmo- 
rency, early in Jan. 1529. Le Grand, iii. 295. From Lyons, on the 31st Jan., 
Gardiner wrote to Cardinal Wolsey, about the pope's illness, and the conse- 
quences that would attend his death. 

9 In his company.'] The way for this had been gradually preparing : 
" Le roy est encores allant et venant de Grinvich icy, je croy bien qu'il 
pourra faire ung voyage a Hampton-court ou Richemont, et la royne pareille- 
ment, et pourra bien estre qu'elle ne retournera icy de long temps. Mada- 
moiselle de Boulan a la fin y est venue, et l'a le roy logee en fort beau logis, 
et qu'il a faict bien accoustrer tout aupres du sien, et luy est la cour faicte 
ordinairement tous les jours plus grosse que de long temps elle ne fut faicte 
a, la royne. Je croy bien qu'on veult accoustumer par les petiz ce peuple a 
l'endurer, afin que quand viendra a donner les grans coups, il ne les trouve si 
estrange ; toutefois il demoure tous jours endurcy, et croy bien qu'il feroit 
plus qu'il ne faict, si plus il avoit de puissance, mais grand ordre se donne 
journellement par tout." Bishop of Bayonne to Montmorency, Dat. London, 
9 Dec. 1528. Le Grand, iii. 231. "Toute la cour s'est retiree a Grinvich, 
et se tient maison ouverte, tant chez le roy que chez la royne, comme elle 
a accoustume les aultres annees, aussi y est mademoiselle de Boulan ayant 
son cas a part, qui ne se trouvera, comme je croy, gueres avec la dite royne, 
et suys d'avis que les choses demoureront en ceste sorte jusques au retour de 
maistre Bryant, et en ce propos est le Cardinal Campege, lequel me semble 
avoir bonne voulente en l'expedition de l'affaire, s'il trouve le Pape content." 
Bishop of Bayonne to Montmorency, Dat. London, 25 Dec. 1528. Le 
Grand, iii. 260. Du Bellay's letter of the 15th June, 1529, is very explicit. 

u 2 

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148 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



charged, that he might returne to Rome. Then it chaunced 
that Mr. secretary x was retourned home 2 from thence ; where- 

1 Mr. secretary.'] Stephen Gardiner. See note at p. 126. 

* Retourned home.'] Whence he wrote to the ambassadors at Rome thus : — 
" Albeit ye be nowe advertised, as wel by this post as other lettres to you 
bifore directed, howe ye shal demeane yourself in the letting of the advoca- 
tion of his graces cause at th' emperours agents or the quenes pursute. 
Yet, I thought convenient by these my lettres to advertise youe that this 
advocation of the cause is gretly pondred, and considred here not oonly with 
the kings grace, but also with al other nobles of the realme ; for in case 
the pope, as God forbydde, shulde advocate the said cause, not only therby 
the king's grace and all his nobles shulde decline from the pope and see 
apostolique, but also the same shulde redounde to my lord cardinall our 
commen masters utter undoing. I doubte not therfor ye will forsee that 
matier accordingly, and whereas by the kings lettres to youe directed synnes 
my departing thens, it wos advised and instructed to make an appellation 
and protestacion tanquam a non vicario ad verurn vicarium Jh'u Christi, be- 
cause the kings highnes perceyvith by your lettres wryten in cifre to his 
grace, that the said appellation might irritate the popes holynes and rather 
hindre his cause thenne doo good. His pleasur therfor is that ye shal for- 
bere to make any such protestacion or appellation notwithstanding any 
clause conteyned in his said lettres to the contrary, but that ye shal by al 
dulce and plesaunte meanes enterteyne the popes holynes in good benevolence 
and favor towards the king's highness ; for that by exasperating him he doo 
noon acte anewe in the derogation of his commission and processe to be 
made therupon here." Letter from Steven Gardyner to Sir Gr. de Cassalis 
and Peter Vannes, Dat. Westminster, 25th June (1529). III. Ellis, ii. 157. 

That Gardiner was right as to Wolsey's danger, is shewn by Du Bellay, 
writing to Montmorency, at the end of May, as follows : 

" Je vous asseure, monseigneur, que monsieur le Cardinal d' Yore est en la 
plus grant peine qu'il fut oncques. Les dues de Suffolk et Norfolk et les 
autres mettent le roy d'Angleterre en opinion, qu'il n'a tant avance le man- 
age qu'il eust fait, s'il eust voulu, et plus grant plaisir ne luy scauroient faire 
le roy et madame que de dormer par bons moyens a entendre au due de 
Suffolk et a, son compagnon, qu'il les a terriblement poursuivis de prendre la 
chose en main jusques a, cette heure, il s'en fault beaucoup par la raison 
dessus dite qu'il manie le roy d'Angleterre comme il a fait. lis se trouvent 
par leurs derniers lettres de Rome en moindre seurete qu'ils n'estoient, 

6 , 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 149 

upon it was concluded that cardinall Campaigne should come to 
the king at Grafton in Northamptonshire, and to be conducted 
by my lord cardinall. And so they toke their journey from the 
Moore 3 thitherward, and were lodged the first night at a towne 
in Bedfordshire, called Leighton Bussarde, in the parsonage 
there, being Mr. doctor Chambers'^ benefice, the kings phisition. 
And from thence they rode the next day, which was Sonday, to 
Grafton 4 ; before whose comming, there rose diverse opinions in 

pource ils renvoyent en poste le docteur Benet, prians, requerans, menassans, 
etc. Je scay de vray que le Pape est en grant fantaisie, plusqu'ils ne pen- 
sent, de revoquer leur commission. Ils vouloient qu'il declarast dez cette 
heure le brief ampliatif estre nul, ce qu'il n'a voulu faire : sur le dit brief 
giest un des grands neuf de la matiere ; ils font leur compte que la dite ma- 
tiere entamee ne durera que deux mois : je vous responds qu'elle en durera 
plus de quatre." Bishop of Bayonne to Montmorency, Dat. London, 29 
May, 1529- Le Grand, iii. 313. 

3 From the Moore.'] This was on the 18th of September. The manor of 
the Moore, in Rickmansworth, anciently belonged to the abbey of St. Alban's, 
and afterwards to George Neville, archbishop of York, from whom it was 
seized by Edward IV. in 1472. Henry VII. granted it to John de Vere, earl 
of Oxford, with remainder to the issue of his countess Margaret, daughter of 
Richard Neville, earl of Warwick and Salisbury. On the death of Oxford 
in 1513, without issue, the Moore reverted to the crown. How it came to 
Wolsey is not known ; whether he held it by grant, or whether he claimed it 
as parcel of the ancient possessions of the abbey of St. Albans, which he held 
in commendam. It is certain that he sometimes resided there, and there were 
concluded the treaties of the 30th Aug. 1525 (see p. 66). On his disgrace 
it reverted to the crown. After various grants and reversions, it was finally 
given by James L, in 1614, to Edward Russell, third earl of Bedford, whose 
countess, Lucy Harington, sold it to the earl of Pembroke. It has often 
since changed owners : amongst them have been the duke of Monmouth, 
who built a house there ; a speculator in the South Sea fraud, who built 
the present house; lord Anson, who planted the well-known Moor-park 
apricot; Sir Thomas Dundas, &c. It now belongs, by purchase, to the 
Grosvenor family. 

4 Grafton.'] The manor of Grafton had belonged to the Widviles, earls 

6 o 



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150 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

the courte, that the king would not speake with my lord cardinall ; 
whereupon were laied many great wagers. 

These two prelates being come to the gates of the courte, they 
lighted from their horses, supposing they should have been 
received by the head officers of the household ; howbeit it fell out 
nothing so. Nevertheless, for as much as cardinall Oampaigne 
was but a straunger, the sayd officers met him, with their white 
staves in their handes, in the base courte, and so conveied him to 
his lodging prepared for him only. And after my lord had brought 
him to his lodging, he departed thinking to have gone likewise 
directly to his chamber, as he was wont to doe. Then it was told 
him, that he had no chamber nor lodging ordained or appointed 
him in the courte. Being astonied with this newes, sir Henry 
Norris, which was then grome of the stole to the king, came unto 
him, desiring his grace to take his chamber for the time, untill 
another might be provided for him, " For sir, I assure you," 
quoth he, " here is very little roome in this house for the king ; 
therefore I beseech your grace to accept mine for the season." 
And therewith my lord, thanking him for his gentleness, went 
streight to Mr. Norris's chamber, where he shifted his riding 
apparel ; and in the meane while, being thus in his chamber, 
diverse of the noblemen and gentlemen, being his loving freindes, 

Rivers, and it was in the manor-house there that Edward IV. first saw 
Elizabeth Widvile, widow of Sir John Grey, whom he afterwards married. 
Her grandson Thomas, the second marquess of Dorset, surrendered Grafton, 
Hertwell, etc. in 1527, to Henry VIII., in exchange for Loughborough and 
Shepsheved, in Leicestershire. Henry, as we see, was much pleased with his 
acquisition, and, by act of parliament, passed in his 33rd year (1541-2), 
Grafton, with Hertwell and many other manors, was erected into an honour, 
by the name of Grafton Regis. Charles II. gave it to his son by Barbara 
Villiers, duchess of Cleveland, from whom the present duke of Grafton in- 
herits it. 

q : —6 



came to welcome him to the courte, by whom my lord was adver- 
tised of all things touching the kings favor or displeasure towards 
him ; which did him no small pleasure ; for being admonished of 
the cause of the kings displeasure, he was the more ready to make 
his excuse against the same. 

(Then was my lord advertised that he should prepare himselfe 
to goe into the chamber of presence, there to attend the kings 
comming, who was disposed there to talke with him. The other 
cardinall came into my lords chamber, and bothe together went 
into the said chamber of presence, where the lordes of the counsell 
stode all in a rowe in order along the chamber. My lord cardinall, 
putting off his cappe, spake to every of them most gently, and soe 
did they no lesse to him : at which time the chamber was fur- 
nished with noblemen and gentlemen, and others, that expected 
the meting, countenaunce, and enterteinement of the king to- 
war des my lord cardinall. 

Then immediately after, the king came into the chamber of 
presence, and standing under the clothe of estate, my lord cardi- 
nall toke cardinall Campaigne by the hande, and kneled downe 
before the king : but what he said unto him I know not : never- 
thelesse the king, as amyably as ever he did before, stooped 
downe, and with both his handes toke him up, and after toke 
him aside by the hand, and led him to the windowe, where he 
talked with him. 

Then, to behold the countenaunce of the noblemen and others, 
that had made their wagers, it would have made you smile ; and 
specially of those that laid their money, that the king would not 
speake with him. Thus were they deceived. The king was in 
earnest and long communication with him, in so much as I might 
heare the king say, " How can that be ; is not this your owne 

O O 



hand?" and pulled a letter or writing out of his bosome, and 
shewed the same to my lord: and as I perceived my lord 
aunswered the same, that the king had no more to say ; but said 
to him, " My lord goe to dinner, and call my lordes here to 
keepe you company ; and after dinner I will come to you againe, 
and then we will common further with you ;" and so departed, 
and dined himself e that day with Mrs. Anne Bullen in her 
chamber. 

Then was there set up in the chamber of presence a table for 
my lord, and other lordes of the counsell, where they dined 
together, sitting at dinner and commoning of divers matters. 
" The king should doe well," quoth my lord cardinall, "to send 
his bishops and chapleines home to their cures and benefices." 
" Yea Mary," quoth my lord of Norfolke 5 , "and so it were mete 
for you to doe also." " I should be well content therewith," quoth 
my lord, " if it were the kings pleasure to licence me, with his 
graces favor, to goe to my benefice at Winchester." " Nay," 
quoth my lord of Norfolke, " to your benefice at Yorke, whereas' 
is your greatest honor and charge." " Even as it shall please the 
king," quoth my lord cardinall, and so fell into other matters. 
For the lordes were lothe he should be so neare the king as to 
continue at Winchester. Immediately after dinner they fell to 
counsell untill the waiters had dined. 

I And as I heard it reported by them that waited on the king at 
dinner, mistress Anne Bullen was much offended, as farre as she 
durst, that the king did so gently entertaine my lord cardinall, 
saying as she sat with the king at dinner, in communication of 

5 Lord of Norfolke.'] Thomas Howard, third duke, who had succeeded his 
father in 1524. 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 153 

my lord, \ Sir," quoth she, " is it not a marvellous thing to see, 
what debt and danger he hath brought you in with all your sub- 
jects V " How soe sweeteharte P quoth the king, " Forsothe," 
quoth she, " there is not a man within all your realme, worth five 
pounds, but he hath indebted you to him ;" (meaning a loane 
which the king had of his subjects). " Well," quoth the king, 
" as for that, there was in him no blame ; for I know that matter 
better than you, or any other." "(Nay sir," quoth she, "besides 
that, what things hath he wrought within this realme to your 
great slander I There is never a nobleman, but if he had done 
halfe so much as lie hath done, he were well worthy to lose his 
heade. Yea, if my lord of Norfolke, my lord of Suffolke, my lord 
my father, or any other nobleman within your realme, had done 
much lesse than he hath done, they should have lost their heades 
'eare this." 

"/Then I perceive," quoth the king, " you are not the cardi- 
nalls friende?" u Why sir," saith she, "I have no cause 6 , nor 
any that loveth you : no more have your grace, if ye consider 
well his doings." 

By that time the waiters toke up the table, and so ended their 
communication. No we ye may perceive ho we the olde malice 
began to kindle, and to be set on fire, which was as much pro- 
voked by his auncient enemies (of whome I touched the cause, 
and named to you the persons before in this treatise) as of 
herself e. 

(W ell, there is no more to doe, but after all this communica- 
tion, and the dinner thus ended, the king departed from her, and 
went directly into his chamber of presence, whereas my lord and 

6 I have no cause.~\ See p. 58. 

x 

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I 

I 

154 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



the other lords were attending his comming. And when the king 
was come into the chamber of presence, he called my lord unto 
him into the great windowe, and talked with him a while very 
secreetely. And at the last, the kinge tooke him by the hand, and 
led him into his privy chamber, sitting in consultation with him 
there all alone consulting without any other of the lords of the 
counsell, untill it was dark night ; which blancked his enemies very 
sore, and made them to stirre coals ; and being in doubt of them- 
selves, they had no other refuge but mistress Anne, in whom was 
all their whole truste and affiaunce, to the accomplishing of their 
enterprize ; for without her they doubted all their purpose was 
but frustrate. 

(Then was I warned that there was no roome for my lord in 
the courte ; and so was faine to provide him a lodging in the 
country there about, which I found at a house of Mr. Empson's 
called Euston 7 , about three miles from Grafton, wheither my lord 
came to supper, by torche light, it was so late ere he departed 
from the king. At whose departing the king willed him to 
resorte againe the sooner in the morning, for that he would talke 
with him farther in such matters as they had commoned on before. 

7 Euston, .] Euston is near Thetford in Norfolk : the place here meant is 
Easton Neston, near Towcester, in Northamptonshire : it was purchased, 23 
Henry VII., from Richard, lord Grey de Ruthyn, by the noted Sir Richard 
Empson, one of the barons of the exchequer under Henry VII., whose agent 
he had been, in conjunction with Dudley, for oppressing the people to enrich 
the king's coffers. One of Henry VIII. 's first popular acts was to condemn 
both. Empson was tried and condemned at Northampton, but was exe- 
cuted with Dudley at London. Easton Neston and Towcester were granted 
by Henry VIII. to Sir William Compton, who died of the sweating sickness, 
in 1528. After a short time, Easton Neston was purchased by Richard 
Fermor, a merchant, ancestor of the earl of Pomfret to whom it now belongs. 
Wolsey slept here on the 19th of Sept. 

O 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 155 

(After my lord was departed from the king, and come to 
Euston to his lodging, he had to supper with him diverse of his 
freindes of the court ; and sitting at supper, in came doctor 
Stephens, the king^s secretary, whoe was late ambassador to 
Rome ; but to what intent I know not : howbeit my lorde toke 
it, that he came either to dissemble a love towards him, or else 
to espy his behaviour, and to heare his communication at supper. 
Whereupon my lorde went to him, and bade him welcome, and 
willed him to sit downe at the table to supper, having all his 
communication with him, under this manner. " Mr. secretary," 
quoth he, "ye be welcome home from Rome; when came ye 
home V " Forsoothe," quoth he, " I came home almost a monthe 8 

8 Almost a monthe ] There is every reason to think that the mistrust which 
Wolsey felt of Gardiner was well founded. Gardiner returned from his em- 
bassy in June, and instead of almost a month, he had been in England three 
months before this conversation took place. It could have been no inad- 
vertent answer which he now gave. Gardiner was in Wolsey's secrets : on 
the 31st of January, he had written from Lyons to the Cardinal about the 
illness and expected death of Clement VII., and Wolsey, on the 7th of 
February, had opened his mind to Gardiner as to the obtaining the Papal 
Chair. Long instructions, signed by Henry, were also sent, at the same time 
and to the same end ; and G. G. di Passano, then at Rome, was specially 
ordered by Francis to co-operate with Gardiner on Wolsey's behalf. Clement 
recovered, and Wolsey's ambitious hopes were once more defeated. On Gar- 
diner's return in June, he wrote to his colleagues at Rome that he foresaw the 
Cardinal's approaching downfall, and although he wrote to Wolsey from 
court on the 10th of August and on the 1st and 8th of September, he did not 
come near him. For this studied absence there must have been reasons. 
Being secretary to the king, Gardiner in all probability had communicated to 
him Wolsey's proceedings ; Wolsey certainly suspected his present visit to be 
that of a spy. Indeed it may have been Gardiner, rather than Bryan, who 
placed in Henry's hands the fatal papers with which he charged the Cardinal; 
" How can that be ? Is not this your own hand ? " The keen and penetrating 
eye of Du Bellay saw that " Dr. Stephen" would take a great lead in affairs, 
" especially if he would throw his cassock in the dirt," for no priest would get 

x 2 
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156 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

ago." " And where have you bine," quoth my lord, " ever 
since?" " Forsoothe sir," quoth he, "following the court in 
this progresse." " Then have you hunted, and had great pas- 
time," quoth my lord. " So I have had sir," quoth he. " What 
good great houndes have you V quoth my lord. " I have some, 
sir," quoth he. And thus in hunting, and like disportes, passed 
they all their communication at supper; and after supper my 
lord and he talked secretly together, till it was midnight ere they 
sundred. 

The next morning my lord rose earely and rode to the courte 9 ; 
at whose comming the king was ready to ride, willing my lord to 
counsell with the lordes in his absence, and saide he would not 
tarry with him, commanding my lord to retourne againe with car- 
dinall Campaigne, who had taken his leave of the king. Upon 
which occasion my lord was constrained to take his leave of the 
king ' also, with whome the king departed amyably in the sight of 
all men. This sodein departing in the morning was by the espe- 
ciall labour of Mrs. Anne, who rode with him, only to lead him 
away, because he should not retourne until the departure of the 
cardinalls, the which retourned after dinner to the Moore. 

\The king rode that morning to view a place and ground to 
make a newe parke, which was afterwardes, and is at this day 
called Hare well Parke 3 , where Mistress Anne had provided a 



the seal : the priests would have enough to do for themselves. In that opinion 
Du Bellay was right : Sir Thomas More, and not Stephen Gardiner, was made 
lord chancellor. 

9 The courted At Grafton. 

1 To take his leave of the king.~] His final leave. They never met again. 

2 Harewell Parke.~] Or rather Hartwell, close to Grafton. See note at p. 149. 
This was on the 20th Sept. 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 157 



place for his grace to dine, fearing his retourne 3 , ere the cardinalls 
were gone. 

(Then rode my lorde and the other cardinall after dinner on 
their way homewarde, and so came to St. Albones 4 , and there lay 
one day ; and the next day they rode together to the Moore ; 
and from thence cardinall Campeignes toke his journey towards 
Rome, with the kings rewarde ; but what it was I am uncertaine. 
Nevertheless, after their departure, it was reported to the king 

3 Fearing his retourne.'] " Le pis de son mal est que mademoiselle de Boulen 
a faict promettre a son amy qu'il ne Fescoutera jamais parler ; car elle pense 
bien qu'il ne le pourroit garder d'en avoir pitie." — Bp. of Bayonne to Mont- 
morency, 17th Oct. 1529- Le Grand, iii. 375. 

4 St. Albones.] From here, on the 23rd Sept., Thomas Alward, keeper of 
Wolsey's wardrobe, wrote a letter to Cromwell, with an account of the car- 
dinal's reception at Grafton. Alward says, that Wolsey had two interviews 
with the king on the second day. " On Monday, in the mornyng, my lord, 
leving the legat at his logyng, went again unto the kyng's grace, and after 
long talkyng in his privie chamber togeder, the kyng, my lord, and all the 
hole counsaile sat togeder all that for'none aboute the kyngs matiers and 
affaires. In the after none, my lords grace having then with hym the legat 
Campegius, went to the kyng's grace, and, after talkyng and communication 
had a long whilis with the legat a parte, they both toke ther leve of the 
kyngs highnes, in as good fascion and maner, and with as moche gentilnes, 
as ever I saw bifor. This don, the kyngs grace went huntyng. The legate 
retourned to maister Empson, and my lords grace taried ther in counsaile 
til it was darke nyght. Further mor my lord of Suffolke, my lord of Roch- 
ford, maister Tuke, and master Stevyns did as gently . . . have theymselfs, 
with as moche observaunce and humy (lyte to) my lords grace as ever I sawe 
theym do at any (time here) to for. What they bere in ther harts I knowe 
not. Of the premissis I have seen with mine ies." Lingard prefers the nar- 
rative of Cavendish. " Both were present, but though Alward's account was 
written immediately, there is this to detract from its credit, that it was written 
to enable Cromwell to contradict the report that Wolsey had left the king 
in disgrace." vi. 157. Alward's letter is printed, I. Ellis, i. 307, where 
by mistake the interview is said to have been at Greenwich, instead of 
Grafton. The two cardinals slept at St. Alban's on the 20th Sept. 

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158 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



by the counsell, that cardinall Campeigne was departed, and car- 
ried with him great treasures of my lord cardinalls of England, 
to be conveied in great sommes to Rome, whither they surmised 
he would secretely repair e out of this realme. Insomuch as they 
caused a post to ride after the cardinall to search him 5 . And 
when they overtoke him at Oallis 6 , where he was staied untill search 
was made, there was not found so much mone yas he received 
of the kings rewarde ; and so he was dismissed and went his way. 
And after that cardinal Campeigne was thus departed and 
gone, Michaelmas terme drewe on, against which time my lord 
cardinall resorted unto his house 7 at Westminster ; and when the 

5 To search him.~] " When he came to take ship, the searchers, upon pre- 
tence he carried either money or letters from England to Rome, ransacked all 
his coffers, bags, and papers ; not without hope to recover that decretal bull 
our king so much longed for. I find also, by some relations, that divers 
love-letters betwixt our king and Mrs. Bullen, being conveyed out of the king's 
cabinet, were sought for, though in vain ; they having been formerly sent to 
Rome. Which usage so offended Campeius, that he complained immediately 
to the king." — Lord Herbert, in State Trials, vol. i. p. 339. The king's love- 
letters forsooth (and such love-letters !) stolen from his private cabinet, and 
carried off to Rome ? Wherefore this ; but because fish of whatever kind 
was fair game for the net of the Vatican fisherman, the self-styled successor 
of St. Peter, and, so-called, vicar of Christ ? Scire volunt secreta domus, atque 
inde timeri. We in England possess these letters, ages after, only from the 
pope's stolen copy. See Harleian Miscellany, &c. 

6 At Callis.~] Lingard says that he was searched at Dover on Oct. 1st. 
Du Bellay, writing from London, on the 12th of October, to Montmorency, 
says, " Le cardinal Campege est encores a Douvres, et a ceste heure viens 
d'entendre que soulz couleur de faute de navires, on ne le veult laisser passer 
sans y prendre advis, de paeur qu'il n'emporte le thresor du cardinal d'Yorc." 
Le Grand, iii. 369. 

7 Resorted unto his house.'] His state at this time is well described by Du 
Bellay : — " Au demourent, j'ay este voir le Cardinal en ses ennuis, ou que 
j'y ay trouve le plus grand exemple de fortune que on ne scauroit voir; il m'a 
remonstre son cas en la plus mauvaise rethorique que je viz jamais, car cueur 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 159 



tearme began, he went unto the hall, in such like sorte and 

gesture as he accustomed most commonly to doe, and sat in the 

chauncery being then chauncellor. After which day he never 

: sate more 8 . The next day he tarried at home, expecting the 

et parole lui failloient entierement: il a bien ploure et prie que le roy et 
madame voulsissent avoir pitie de luy, s'ils avoyent trouve qu'il leur eust 
guarde promesse de leur estre bon serviteur autant que son honneur et 
pouvoir se y est peu estendre, mais il me a a la fin laisse sans me pouvoir dire 
autre chose qui vallist mieux que son visaige, qui est bien descheu de la moitie 
de juste pris, et vous promets, mon seigneur, que sa fortune est telle que ses 
ennemis, encores qu'ils soyent Angloys, ne se sgauroyent guarder d'en avoir 
pitie j ce nonobstant ne laisseront de le poursuivre jusques au bout, et ne 
voyt de moyen de son salut, aussi ne fais-je, sinon qu'il plaise au roy et a 
madame de l'ayder. De legation, de sceau d'auctorite', de credit, il n'en de- 
mande point j il est prest de laisser tout jusques a la chemise, et que on le laisse 
vivre en ung hermitaige, ne le tenant ce roy en sa malle grace. Je l'ay reconforte 
au mieulx que j'ay peu, mais je n'y ay sceu faire grant chose ; depuys par un 
en qui il se fie, il m'a mande ce qu'il vouldroit qu'on feist pour luy de la plus 
grant partie, luy voiant qu'il ne touchoit au bien des affaires du roy qu'on luy 
accordast la plus raisonnable chose qu'il demande, c'est que le roy escripvist 
a ce roy qu'il est ung grand bruict de par dela qu'il l'ait reculle d'autour de 
luy, et fort eslongue de la bonne grace, en sorte qu'on diet qu'il doibve estre 
destruict, ce que ne pense totalement estre comme on le diet; toutesfois pour 
la bonne fraternite qu'ils ont ensemble, et si grant communication de tous 
leurs plus grans affaires, Fa bien voulu prier de y avoir esgard, atfin qu'il 
n'en entre souldainement quelque mauvaise fantaisie envers ceulx qui ont veu, 
qu'en si grant solemnite et auctorite, il ait servy d'instrument en cette per- 
petuelle amitie tant renommee par toute la Chrestiente : et que si d'aventure 
il estoit entre en quelque mal contentement de luy, il veuille ung peu moderer 
son affection, comme il est bien seur que luy vouldront conseiller ceulx qui 
sont autour de sa personne et au maniement de ses plus grandes affaires." 
Letter from the Bishop of Bayonne to Montmorency, dat. London, 17th Oct., 
] 529. Le Grand, iii. 370. 

8 He never sate moreJ] " Cardinal Wolsey being now divested of his late j 
power (wherein he had the glory, in some sort, to have been superior to his 
king), and for the rest being left alone, and exposed not only to a general 
hatred, but to the private machinations of the present and future queen, 
became sensible of his ill estate : though yet he did not believe himself so 

Q — 6 



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160 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

comming of the dukes of Suffolke and Norfolke, who came not 
that day ; but the next day they came thither unto him ; to 
whom they declared the kings pleasure ; which was that he should 

near his overthrow, as it appeared afterwards. But what could he hope for, 
when such puissant enemies did procure his destruction ? Therefore, though 
he received some advices from Rome, which might argue a care rather than a 
power for his conservation, yet in effect what secret intelligence soever passed 
betwixt the pope and him came to the emperor first, and after to queen 
Catherine, who cunningly caused it to be whispered into the king's ears, by 
some more indirect ways than it could possibly be imagined to proceed from 
her. Likewise Mrs. Anne Bullen, having learned from some of the king's 
wisest and gravest counsellors, divers malversations of the Cardinal, was so 
far from disguising them, that she even misinterpreted his better actions. 
Edmund Campian adds to these reasons, that Sir Francis Bryan being in 
Rome, did by the means of a familiar one who kept the pope's papers, 
obtain a letter of the cardinal's which wrought his ruin, — in this manner. 
Having first shewed her the cardinal's hand-writing, and then corrupted her, 
this courtesan so dexterously performed the rest, that upon pretence of visit- 
ing her servant in his study, she conveyed away this letter and gave it Bryan, 
who failed not immediately to send it to our king. Which relation of Cam- 
pian, though I will not contradict, yet I suppose to be the more improbable, 
that I find by original despatches, Bryan was come from Rome before any 
argument of the king's disfavour to the cardinal appeared." Still, that the 
king was in possession of some papers of the cardinal betraying his bad faith 
is plain from what we have lately read : " How can that be ? Is not this your 
own hand?" and Lord Herbert himself tells us, in another place, that "the 
king believed he held underhand intelligence with the pope, which might be 
by some notice he might have of a joint dispatch (a minute whereof is extant 
in our records), from Wolsey and Campeius, whereby they desired the pope 
to avoke the cause to himself." State Trials,\o\. i. p. 338 — 91. — "However, 
the way the king took to overthrow him was merely legal ; though approach- 
ing to summum jus after most men's opinions. In the carriage whereof yet 
that secresy was used, that the cardinal did not, or perchance out of great- 
ness of mind, would not take notice of what was intended against him. So 
that though the Bill or Indictment was put in, at the beginning of Michael- 
mas term, yet did he ride that day to the chancery with his accustomed pomp. 
Of which our king being advertised, thought fit to forbid him the place." 
Lord Herbert, in State Trials, vol. i. p. 367 — 69. 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 161 

surrender and deliver up the great seale into their hands, and to 
departe simply unto Ashere 9 , which was an house scituate nighe 
unto Hampton Courte, belonging to the bishopricke of Win- 
chester. The cardinall demanded of them their commision, that 
gave them such authority so to doe ; who aunswered him againe, 
that they were sufficient commisioners, and had authority to doe 
no lesse by the king's mouthe. Notwithstanding he would in no 
wise agree to their saying in that behalfe, without further know- 
ledge of their authority, saying also, that for the greate seale, it 
was delivered him by the kings person to enjoye the ministration 
thereof, with the rome of the chauncellor, for terme of his life, 
whereof for his surety he had the kings letters patent to shewe. 
Which matter was greatly debated betweene him and the dukes, 
with many great and heinous wordes, all which he toke in pa- 
tience ; insomuch that the dukes were faine to departe againe 
without their purpose, at that time ; and rode to Windsor to the 
king from whence they came. And what reporte they made, I 
am uncertaine ; howbeit, the next daye they retourned againe 
from Windsor, from the king, bringing with them the king's letters. 
Then my lorde delivered unto them the great seale ', and was 
content to obey the kings commandement, and to departe simply 2 , 

9 Ashere.'] Esher. 

1 The great seale.] Oct. 19, 1529. Herbert, p. 290. 

2 To departe simply.] " Escripvant cette lettre ay sceu que monsieur le 
legat vient d'etre mys hors de sa maison, et tous ses biens mis en main du 
roy. Outre les pilleries dont on le charge, et les broiiilleries semees par son 
moien entre les princes chrestiens, on luy meet encores tant d'aultres choses 
suz, qu'il est du tout affole. Le due de Norfock est faict chef de ce conseil, 
et en son absence celuy de Souffock, et pardessus tout mademoiselle Anne. 
On ne scait encores qui aura le sceau, je croy bien que les prestres n'y 
toucheront plus et que a ce parlement ils auront de terribles alarmes. Je voy 
que le docteur Stephen sera fort avant au manyement des affaires, principale- 

Y 
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162 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

taking with him nothing but only certaine provision for his house ; 
saying that the king intended to come thither within two or three 
daies. 

And after longe talke between him and the dukes, they de- 
parted with the great seale of Englande unto Windsore, and 
brought the same unto the king. Then went my lord cardinall, 
and called his officers before him, and toke account of them for 
all suche stuffe and things whereof they had charge. And in his 
gallery were set diverse tables, whereupon lay a great number of 
goodly riche stuffes; as whole pieces of silke of all coulores, 
velvet, satten, damask, tufted taffeta, grograine, sarcenet, and 
other things, now not in remembrance ; also there lay on these 
tables a thousand pieces of fine hollande clothe, whereof as he 
reported after, there was five hundred of the said pieces of clothe 
stolne, and conveied away from the king and him ; yet there was 
laide upon every table, bokes, made in manner of inventories, 
reporting the number and contents of the same. And even so 
there were bokes made in manner of inventories 3 of all things 
here after rehearsed, wherein he toke great paines to set all 
things in order against the king's comming. Also he hanged all 
the walls of the gallery on the one side, with clothe of golde, 
clothe of tyssewe, clothe of silver, and with riche clothe of bod- 
kin 4 of divers colours. Also on the other side were hanged the 

ment s'il veult jetter le froc aux horties." Bishop of Bayonne to Montmo- 
rency, 22 Oct. 1528. Le Grand, iii. 377. 

3 Inventories.'] The original inventory of his furniture, tapestry, and linen, 
is amongst the MSS. of Sir Simonds D'Ewes, now forming part of the Har- 
leian Collection (No. 599) in the British Museum. 

4 Clothe of bodkin.'] "Baudekyn, Cloth of Gold." Phillip's World of 
Words. " Baldekinum — pannus omnium ditissimus, cujus utpote stamen ex 
filis auri, subtegmen ex serico texitur. Clothe of baudkins dicitur in statutis 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 163 

richest suite of copes of his owne provision (made for his col- 
ledges of Oxenforde and Ipswiche) that ever I sawe in Englande. 
Then had he two chambers adjoyning to the gallery, the one 
called most commonly the gilt chamber, and the other the counsell 
chamber, wherein were set up two broade and long tables, upon 
tressels, whereupon was set suche a number of plate of all sortes, 
as was almost incredible. In the gilt chamber were set out upon 
the table nothing but gilt plate ; and upon a cupboarde, and in a 
windowe was set no plate but all gold very riche. And in the 
counsell chamber was all white and parcell gilt plate ; and under 
the table in baskets was all olde broken silver plate, not esteemed 
worthy to be occupied as plate, but as broken silver ; and bokes 
set bye them, purporting every kinde of plate, and every parcell, 
with the content of the ounces thereof. Thus was all things 
furnished and prepared, giving the charge of all the saide stuffe 
with all other things remaining in every office to be delivered to 
the king, as well unto diverse persons, in whome he put his trust, 
as to one in especiall of his officers, in every office of his house, 
to make aunswer to their charge, charged in their indenture of 
the parcells; for the order was suche, that every officer was 
charged with the receipt of the stuffe belonging to their office by 
indenture. 

Then all things being ordered as it is before rehearsed, my 
lord prepared him to departe by water. And before his going, 
sir William Gascoigne, being his treasurer, came unto him, to 
whom he gave, among other, the charge of the delivery of the 
saide goods, to be delivered unto the king, who saide unto the 



Parliamentariis nostris." Wats' Glossary, subjoined to his edition of Mat- 
thew Paris. 

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164 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



cardinall, then being his lord and master, " Sir^jmoth he, " I 
am sorry for your grace, for ye shall go straightway to the Tower, 
as I heard say." "Is this the goode counsell, and comforte," 
quoth my lord cardinall unto him, "that you can give your 
master in adversity ? It hath alwaies been your naturall inclina- 
tion to be very lighte of credite ; and much more lighter of 
reporting lies. I would you should knowe, sir William, and all 
these reporters, that it is untrue ; for I never deserved to come 
there, although it hath pleased the king, to take my house ready 
furnished for his pleasure at this time. I would all the world 
knewe that I have nothing, but it is Ms of right ; for by him, 
and of him, I have received all that I have ; therefore it is of 
convenience and reason, that I render unto his majesty the same 
againe, with all my harte. Therefore goe your waies, and attend 
well to your charge." And there withall he made him ready to 
ride ; and then with his traine of gentlemen and yeomen, whiche 
was no small number, he toke his barge at his privy staires, and so 
went by water unto Putney. At the taking whereof, there was 
walking up and downe 5 on the Thames boates filled with people 
of London, expecting the cardinalls departing by water, sup- 
posing that he should have gone to the Towre, whereat they joied 
very much. 

wavering and new fangled multitude ! Is it not a wonder 
to consider the mutability of this uncertaine worlde ! The common 
people desireth allwaies those things for the newelties sake, which 
after turneth them to small profit or commodity. For if the 
sequell be well and directly weighed and considered, they had 
but small cause to rejoice at his fall. What hath succeeded 

5 Walking up and downed] Wafftting. Singer's edit. p. 185. 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 165 

wise men doe knowe, and the common sorte themselves have 
felt. Wherefore to wonder at it, it were but a folly ; to study the 
remedy it profiteth not ; for thus it hath ever bene, and will 
alwaies : do what you will to redresse the same, it botethe not. 
I cannot see, but alwaies men in authority be disdained with the 
common sorte of people ; and they most of all, that doe observe 
and minister justice. For where they please some one that 
receiveth the benefit of the la we at their hands according to 
justice, they doe in like wise displease the contrary parte, 
supposing himselfe to sustaine wrong, where he hath righte. 
Thus all justices be in some contempt with the people allwaies, 
for the ministration of their duty. Yet must some such be 
alwaies elected and deputed soe to doe ; for else, if the world 
should be without inquisitors and order, there should be too much 
error and abomination. 

When he was with all his traine arrived at Putney, being upon 
the lande, he took his moile 6 , and every man to their horses. 
And riding not paste a paire of butt lengths, he espied a gentle- 
man come riding in poste downe the hill, in the towne of Putney, 
and demanding of his gentlemen aboute him, what he was, that 
came riding downe so faste. " Forsooth sir," quoth they, " it 
is Mr. Norris, as it seemeth to us. 11 And by and by he came to 
my lord saluting him, and sayd, "Sir, the kings majesty com- 
mendeth him unto you, and commaunded me to she we you, that 
you be as muche in his favor as ever you were, and so shall be. 
Therefore he would that you should be of good cheere, and take 
no thought, for ye shall not lacke. And although he hath done 
thus unkindly towards you, it is more for the satisfying of some, 

6 Moile.'] Mule. 
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166 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



than for any indignation ; and yet you knowe well, he is able to 
recompence you againe, and to restore you to twise so much ; 
and thus he bad me, that I should shewe you, and willed me to 
bid you to take all this matter in patience. And sir, for my 
parte, I truste to see you in better estate, than ever you were." 
But when he heard Mr. Norris reporte the good and comfortable 
words of the king, he quickly lighted off his mule, all alone, as 
though he had bine the youngest amongst us, and incontinent 
kneeled downe in the dirte upon bothe his knees, holding up his 
hands for joye of the kings most comfortable message. Mr. 
Norris alighted also, espying him so sone upon his knees, and 
kneeled by him, and toke him in his armes, and asked howe he 
did, calling upon him to credite his message. " Mr. Norris," 
quoth he, "when I consider the joyfull newes that yee have 
brought to me, I could doe no lesse than greatly rejoice. Your 
wordes pierced my harte, that the sodain joye, surmounted my 
memory, having no regarde or respecte to the place, but I 
thought it my duty, in the same place where I received this 
comforte, to laud and praise God upon my knees, and most 
humbly to render to my soveraigne lorde my harty thanks for the 
same." 

| And as he was thus talking upon his knees to Mr. Norris, he 
would have pulled off a velvet night cap, which he wore under 
his black hat, and scarlet cap ; but he could not undoe the knot 
under his chin ; wherefore with violence he rent the laces of his 
cap, and pulled his said cap from his head, and kneeled bare 
headed. And this done, he rose up and mounted upon his mule, 
and so rode forthe up the high waye in the towne, talking with 
Mr. Norris. And when he came unto Putney Heathe, where 
Mr. Norris should departe from him, Mr. Norris gave him a ring 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 167 

of gold with a stone, and sayd unto him, that the king sent him 
the same for token of good will, " which ringe, 11 quothe he, " the 
king saith you know very well. 11 It was the privy token between 
the king and him, when the king would have any especiall thing 
sped at his hands. Then saide he to Mr. Norris, " If I were 
lorde of a realme, the one halfe were too small a rewarde to 
give you for your paines, and good newes. But, good Mr. 
Norris, consider with me, that I have nothinge lefte me but my 
clothes upon my backe. Therefore I shall desire you to take 
this small rewarde at my hands ;" the which was a little chaine 
of gold, made like a bottle chaine, with a crosse of gold, 
wherein was a piece of the Holy Crosse 7 , which he continually 

7 The Holy Crosse."] Antiochus, a monk of Saba, in Palestine, who wrote in 
the seventh century, deplores the loss of the real cross, which he says was car- 
ried away into Persia after the defeat of the emperor Heraclius by Chosroes, 
in the year 614. See Fabricius, Bibliotheca Grceca, vol. ix. p. 262. 

In the beads or bidding prayer used before, or in the course of sermons, this 
anciently was always one of the petitions directed to be put up. " Ye shall 
praye for the Holy londe, and for the holy-crosse that Jhesu Cryste dyed on 
for the redempcyon of mannes soule, that it may come into the power of 
Crysten men, the more to be honoured for our prayers," — Festival, fol. 203. 
And in the ancient form printed by Henry Wharton — " for the holy Lond, 
and for the holy Croys, that Jhesu Christ sendt it out of Hedne mennys 
honde, into Cristin mennys honde." — Specimen of Errors, &c, by Anth. 
Harmer, p. 166. The injury and error that was occasioned and cherished by 
the Crusades, and was consequent upon the various other species of devotion 
in honour of the material cross of Christ, so prevalent in those ages, was a 
frequent topic of complaint among the Reformers. Sir Thomas More tells 
us that " Luther wished in a sermon of his, that he had in his honde all the 
pieces of the holy crosse, and said that if he so had, he would throw them 
there as never sonne sholde shyne on them. — And for what worshipfull reason 
woulde the wretch do such villanye to the Crosse of Christ ? Bycause, as he 
saith, that there is so moche golde nowe bestowed about the garnyshynge of 
the peces of the crosse, that there is none lefte for poore folke. Is not this 
an high reason ? As though all the golde that is nowe bestowed about the 

o 6 



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168 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

ware about his necke next his body; and saide furthermore, 
" Master Norris, I assure you, when I was in prosperity, although 
it seme but small in valeue, yet I would not gladly have departed 
with the same for a thousand poundes. Therefore I shall require 
you to take it in good worthe, and to weare it about your necke 
continually for my sake, and to remember me to the king when 
ye shall see opportunity, unto whose Highness I shall most 
instantly require you to have me most humbly commended ; for 
whose charitable disposition to me, I can but pray for the pre- 
servation of his royall estate. I am his obedient subject, his 
poore chaplaine, and beadman, and so will be during my life, 
accompting myselfe nothinge, nor to have any tliinge, but only of 
him and by him, whome I have justly and truely served, to the 
best of my grosse wit." And with that he toke Master Norris 
by the hand bare headed, and so departed. And when he was 
gone but a small distance, he returned againe, and caused Mr. 
Norris to be called to him. When Master Norris was returned, 
he said unto him, "I am sorry," quothe he, "that I have no 
token to send to the king. But if you will at my request present 
the king with this poore Foole 8 , 1 trust he will accept him, for he is, 
for a nobleman's pleasure, forsoothe, worthe a thousand poundes." 



peces of the holy crosse would not have failed to have been geven to poore 
men, if they had not been bestowed about the garnishing of the crosse : And 
as though there were nothyng lost, but that is bestowed about Christes 
crosse. "—Dialogue concerning Heresies, book i. chap. 2. Works, p. 119. 

8 Poore Foole.'] This is not to be taken to mean Will Somers, who was 
not Henry VIII.'s jester till a later period, entering into the royal service 
after his former master, Richard Fermor, the owner of Easton Neston, had 
incurred praemunire in 1540. Will Somers deserves to be honourably 
recorded for his gratitude to his former master, whose estates, somewhat 
shorn, were restored through his means. 



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169 



(So. Master Norris toke the Foole ; with whom my lord was 
faine to send sixe of his tallest yeomen, to help him to convaie 
the Foole to the courte ; for the poore Foole toke on like a 
tyrant, rather than he would have departed from my lord. Not- 
withstanding they convaied him away, and so brought him to the 
courte, where the king received him very gladly. After departure 
of Master Norris with his token to the kinge, my lorde rode 
straight to Ashur, which is an house belonging to the bishopricke 
of Winchester, situate in the county of Surry, not farre from 
Hampton Courte, where my lord and his family continued the 
space of three or fowre weeks, without either beds, sheets, table 
clothes, or dishes to eat their meete in, or wherewith to buy any. 
Howbeit, there was good provision of all kinds of victualls, and 
of drinke, as bere and wine, whereof there was sufficient and 
plenty enough. My lord was compelled of necessity to borrowe 
of Mr. Arundell, and of the bishop of Carlile, plate and dishes, 
bothe to drinke in, and to eate his meate in. Thus my lord 
with his family continued in this strange estate, until after All- 
hallowne tide. 

It chanced me upon All-hallo wne day 9 to come into the Great 
Chamber at Assher, in the morning, to give mine attendance, 
where I found Mr. Cromwell 10 leaning in the great windowe with a 



9 All-hallowne day.~\ November 1, 1529. 

10 Mr. Cromwell.'] Thomas Cromwell, or rather Crumwell, " who afterwards 
became of such terrific importance to the Church of England," (Maitland, p. 
228,) was a man of low origin and had been, to use his own words, " a ruffian 
in his younger days." He served as foot-boy to a soldier in the wars in 
Italy, carrying his master's pike, and he was present in that capacity at the 
famous passage of the Garigliano, in 1503. Afterwards he became a trafficker 
in the Boston pardons, then a trooper in the imperial army under Bourbon, 
and he assisted at the sacking of Rome in 1527. "At length," says Fox, 



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170 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

Primer in his hand, saying our Lady mattens ; which had bine a 
strange sight 1 in him afore. — Well, what will you have more ? He 

" by learning without book the text of the New Testament of Erasmus' trans- 
lation, he began to be touched and called to better understanding." For his 
introduction to Wolsey, Cromwell was indebted to Sir John Russell, who, as 
we have seen, had been Henry's secret agent with the duke of Bourbon. 
When about to return to England, in 1525, Russell passed through Bologna, 
and a plot was laid by the papal authorities there to seize his person, 
and to send him prisoner to Paris, a measure thought likely to gratify 
Louise of Savoy, then regent of France, and to help towards the liberation 
of her son Francis. " Some have said that the municipality of Bologna 
were bribed by Francis to betray Russell, and Sir John's subsequent challenge 
of the king at Paris gives some colour to that supposition." (Wiffen, i. 267.) 
The plot was discovered by Cromwell, then a soldier of fortune, who found the 
means of gaining access to Sir John Russell, and assisted him to escape from 
a house at Bologna, which the soldiers of the gonfaloniere had beset. When 
Cromwell came to England, Russell commended him to Wolsey, whom he 
served, first as a steward, then as a solicitor, and lastly in that defence before 
the Commons which laid the foundation of his own high fortunes. It is 
possible that he repaid Russell by helping him to the rich abbey of Tavistock. 
A tragedy entitled " The Life and Death of Thomas Lord Cromwell" printed 
in 1602 and 1613, has been falsely attributed to Shakspeare; it has been 
reprinted by Malone in the supplementary volume to his edition of Shaks- 
peare. 

1 A strange sight .] " Dr. Wordsworth's edition," (says Mr. Singer, in his 
edition of this Life, vol. i. p. 193, a.d. 1825,) "and the later manuscripts 
read, * which had been a strange sight in him afore ;' but this can hardly be 
right." The reader's wishes unquestionably will go along with Mr. S. in the 
opinion here expressed. But I see no sufficient reasons for entertaining it ; 
or for any change in the text. I fear Cromwell, in his earlier years, may have 
been a man to have given occasion for such a remark being made as that 
objected to ; especially by a writer of George Cavendish's principles. What 
is the account which Mr. S. gives us, in this same page, from Cardinal Pole, 
another Roman Catholic writer? "Cardinal Pole relates that Cromwell 
openly professed to him his Machiavellian principles. He had learned, he 
said, that vice and virtue were but names : fit indeed to amuse the leisure of 
the learned in their colleges, but pernicious to the men who seek to rise in 
the courts of princes." — But it is almost enough of itself, to advert merely 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 171 

prayed no more earnestly, than he distilled teares as fast from his 
eyes. Whom I saluted, and bad good morrowe. And with that 
I perceived his moist chekes, the which he wiped with his napkine. 
To whom I saide, u Why Mr. Cromwell, what meaneth this 
dole? Is my lord in any danger, that ye doe lament for him? or 
is it for any other losse, that ye have sustained by misfortune V 

'(Nay," quoth he, " it is for my unhappy adventure. For 1 am 
like to lose all that I have laboured for, all the daies of my life, 
for doing of my master true and diligent service." " Why Sir," 
quoth I, " I trust that you be too wise, to do any thing by my 
lord's commaundement, otherwise than ye might doe, whereof 
you ought to be in doubt or daunger for losse of your goods." 
" Well, well," quoth he, "I cannot tell ; but this I see before 
mine eyes, that every thing is as it is taken ; and this I knowe 
well, that I am disdained withal for my master's sake ; and yet I 
am sure there is no cause, why they should doe so. An evill 
name once gotten will not lightly be put away. I never had pro- 
motion by my lord to the encrease of my living. But this much 
I will say to you, that I will this afternoone, when my lord hath 
dined, ride to London, and to the courte, where I will either make 
or marre 2 , or ever I come againe. I will put myselfe in prease 3 , 
to see what they be able to lay to my charge." " Mary," quoth 
I, " then in so doing you shall doe wisely, beseeching God to send 
you good lucke, as I would myselfe." And with that I was called 

to the different side? in religion taken by Cromwell and Cavendish. The 
latter was a person who would naturally entertain a mean opinion of Crom- 
well's devotional habits and propensities. 

2 Make or marre.'] " What he made, and what he marred, has long been 
matter of history." Maitland, Essays on the Reformation, p. 236. 

3 In prease.] See p. 90, where it signifies a press or crowd, but that can 
scarcely be its meaning here ; it may mean under arrest : French, prise. 

z 2 

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172 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

into the closet, to see and prepare all things ready for my lord, 
whoe intended to say masse there that day himselfe ; and so I did. 

Then my lord came thither with his chaplaine, one doctor Mar- 
shall, and first said mattens, and heard two masses in the time of 
his mattens saying. And that sayd, he prepared himselfe to 
masse ; and so saide masse himselfe. And when he had finished 
all his service, incontinent after he was returned into his chamber, 
he called for his dinner, who was served into his privy chamber, 
and there dined among diverse his doctors, among whome this 
master Cromwell dined ; and sitting at dinner, it came to passe 
[that he fell] in communication of his gentlemen and servaunts, 
whose true and faithful service my lord much commended. 
Whereupon Mr. Cromwell toke an occasion to tell my lord, that 
he ought in conscience to consider the true and good service that 
they did him in this his necessity, the which doe never forsake 
him in weale ne in woe, and saide*, 

f Sir, it should be well done for your Grace to call them before 
you, bothe gentlemen which be worthy personnages, and also your 
yeomen, and let them understande, that ye righte well consider 
their paines and truthe with their faithful service ; and to give 
them your commendation, with good words, the which shall be to 
them great courage to sustaine your -misery with paines and 
patience, and to spend their life and substance in your service." 

"Alas Thomas, ,, quoth my lord, "ye knowe I have nothing to 
give them, and wordes without deeds be not often well taken. 
For if I had but as I late had, I would departe with them so 
frankely, as they should be well contente : but nothing, hath no 
savor ; and I am bothe ashamed, and also sorry that I am not 
able to requite their faithful service. And although I doe rejoice 
as I may, to consider the fidelity I see in a number of my 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 173 



servants, who will not forsake me in my miserable estate, but be 
as diligent and as serviceable about me as they were in my great 
triumphe and glory, yet I doe lament againe, as vehemently, the 
want of substance, to distribute among them." " Why Sir," 
quoth master Oromewell, " have ye not here a number of chap- 
leines, to whom ye have departed liberally with spirituall promo- 
tions, in so much as some may dispend, by your Graced prefer- 
ment, a thousand pounds by yeare, and some five hundred marks, 
and some more and some lesse ; you have not a chapleine within 
all your house, or belonging to you, but he may spend well at the 
least (by your procurement and promotion) three hundred markes 
yearely, who have had all the profit and games at your handes, 
and other your servauntes nothing: and yet have your poore 
servauntes taken much more paines in one day, than all your idle 
chapleines have done in a yeare. Therefore if they will not 
frankely and freely consider your liberallity, and departe with you 
of the same goods gotten in your service, now in your great indi- 
gence and necessity, it is pitty that they live ; and all the world 
will have them in indignation and hatred, for their ingratitude to 
their_ master." 

'll think no lesse Thomas," quoth my lord, " wherefore, I pray 
you, cause all my servants to assemble without, in my great 
chamber, after dinner, and see them stand in order, and I will 
declare my mind unto them." 

After that the borders end was taken up, master Cromewell 
came to me, and saide "Heard you not," quoth he, "what my 
lorde saide?" " Yes Sir, that I did," quoth I. " Well, then," 
quoth he, " call all the gentlemen and yeomen up into the great 
chamber ; and even so I did, commanding all the gentlemen to 
stand on the right side of the chamber, an.d all the yeomen on the 

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174 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

other side. And at the laste my lord came out in his rochet upon 
a violet gowne, like a bishop, who went streight to the upper ende 
of the saide chamber, where was the great windowe. Standing 
there a while, his chapleins about him, beholding this goodly 
number of his servaunts, he could not speake unto them, untill 
the teares ran downe his chekes : which fewe teares perceived by 
his servants, caused the fountaines of water to gusshe out of their 
faithfull eyes, in such sorte as it would cause a cruell harte to 
lament. At the last, after he had turned his face to the windowe, 
and dried his moisted chekes, he spake to them in this sorte in 
effect ; 

" Most faithfull gentlemen, and true hearted yeomen, I doe not 
lament to see you about me, but I lament in a manner a certaine 
ingratitude on my behalfe towards you all, in whome hath bin a 
great defaulte, that in my prosperity I have not done so much for 
you, as I might have done, either in deede or worde, which lay in 
my power then to doe : but then I knewe not the juell and 
speciall treasure I had in my house of you my faithful servants ; 
but now experience hath taught me, and with the eyes of my 
discretion I doe well perceive the same. There was never thing 
that repented me more that ever I did, than doeth the remem- 
braunce of my great and most oblivious negligence, and unkinde 
ingratitude, that I have not promoted, preferred or advaunced 
you all, accordinge to your demerits. Howbeit, it is not unknowne 
unto you all, that I was not so fully furnished of temporall promo- 
tions in my gifte, as I was of spiritual preferments. And if I 
should have preferred you to any of the king's offices, then should 
I have runne in the indignation of the king's servants, who would 
not much let to reporte behinde my backe that there could no 
office in the king's gifte escape the cardinall and his servants, and 

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175 



thus should I have runne in open slaunder before all the world. 
But now it is come to this passe, that it hath pleased the king to 
take all that ever I have into his hands, so that I have nothing 
to give you ; for I have nothing lefte me but my bare clothes 
upon my backe, the which are simple in comparison to that I had : 
howbeit if it might doe you any good, I would not sticke to divide 
the same among you, yea, and the skinne of my backe too, if it 
might countervaile any value among you. But my good gentle- 
men and yeomen, my trusty and faithful servaunts, and of whome 
no prince hath the like, I shall require you to take some patience 
with me awhile, for I doubt not but that the kinge, considering 
my suggested offence by mine enemies, which is put against me, 
to be of small griefe or hurte, for so great and so delaine an over- 
throwe, will shortely restore me to my living, so that I shall be 
more able to divide my substance among you, whereof ye shall not 
lacke. For what-soever shall chaunce hereafter to be an overplus 
and superfluity of my revenewes, at the determination of my 
yearely accompt, it shall be distributed among you. For I will 
never during my life esteeme the goods and riches of this world 
any otherwise than which shall be sufficient to mainetaine the 
estate that God hath and shall call me unto. And if the kinge doe 
not shortly restore me, then will I write for you, either to the king, 
or to any noble man within this realme, to retaine your service ; 
for I doubt not but the kinge or any noble man within this realme, 
will credite my letter in your commendation. Therefore, in the 
mean time, I would advise you to repaire home to your wives, 
such as have wives ; and some of you that have no wives, to take 
a time to visit your parents in the country. There is none of you 
all, but would once in a yeare require license to see and visit your 
wife, and other of your friends : take this time therefore in that 



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176 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

respect, and in your retourne I will not refuse you, to beg with 
you. I consider that your service in my house hath been such, 
that ye be not apt to serve any man under the degree of a king ; 
therefore I would advise you to serve no man but the king, who 
I am sure will not refuse you. Therefore I shall desire you to 
take your pleasure for a month, and then ye may come againe, 
and by that time, I trust the king will extend his mercy upon me." 
" Sir," quoth master Cromewell, " there be diverse of these 
your yeomen, that would be glad to see their friends, but they 
lacke money : therefore here be diverse of your chapleines that 
have received at your hands great benefices and livings ; let them 
shew themselves unto you as they be bound to doe. I think 
their honesty and charity is such that they will not see you lacke 
any thing that may doe you good or pleasure. And for my parte, 
although I have not received of your graces gifte one penny 
towards the increase of my livinge, yet will I give you this 
towards the dispatch of your servantes," and therewith delivered 
unto my lord five pounds in gold. " And now let us see what 
your chapleines will doe. I think they will departe with you, 
much more liberally than I, who be more able to give you a 
pound than I a penny." " Goe to, my masters," quoth he to the 
chapleines ; insomuch as they gave to my Lord liberally, some 
ten pounds, some twenty nobles, some five pounds, and so some 
more and some lesse, as their powers would extend, at that time ; 
by means whereof my lord received among them as much as paid 
the yeomen ten shillings the pece towardes their quarters wages, 
and as much money as would pay every of them for a monthes 
borde wages ; and then they departed downe into the hall, where 
some determined to goe to their friends, and some would not 
departe from my lorde, untill they might see him in better estate. 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 177 

My lord retourned into his chamber lamenting the departure 
from his servants, making his mone to master Oromewell, who 
comforted him the best he could, and desired my lord to give him 
leave 4 to goe to London, whereas he would either make or marre 
(the which was alwaies his common terme). Then after a little 
communication with my lord in secret, he departed and toke his 
horse, and rode to London, at whose departinge I was by, to 
whome he saide, " Farewell, ye shall heare shortly of mee, and 
if I speede well, I will not faile to be here againe, within these 
two daies. r) And so I toke my leave of him, and he rode on his 
journey. Sir Rafe Sadler, now knight, was then his clerke, and 
rode with him. 

After my lord had supped that night, and all men gonne to 
bed, being All-hallowne day, about midnight, one of the porters 
came to my chamber dore, and knocked there to wake me. And 
being once awake, and perceiving who was there, I asked him, 
what he would have at that time of the night ? " Sir,' 1 quoth he, 
" there be a great number of horsemen at the gate, that would 
come in, saying that it is sir John Russell, and so it appeares by 
his voice ; and what is your pleasure that I should doe V said he, 
" Mary," quoth I, "goe downe againe, and make a great fire in 
your lodge, until I come, to drie them ;" for it rained all that 
nighte most vehemently, as it did at any time the yeare before. 
Then I arose and made me ready, and put on my night gowne, 
and came to the gates, and asked who was there. With that 
Mr. Russel spake to me, whom I knewe right well, and caused 
the gates to be set open, and let them all come in, who were wet 
to the very skin. I caused Mr. Russel to goe into the porter's 

4 Desired my lord to give Mm leave, ,] On this subject, and on Cromwell's 
character, see Maitland's Essays on the Reformation, 8vo. pp. 228 — 236. 

a a 

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178 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



lodge to the fire to drie him ; and he shewed me that he was 
come from the king unto my lord in message, with whom he 
required me to speake. " Sir," quoth I, " I trust your newes be 
good." " Yea, and so I promise you on my fidelity ; and so tell 
him, that I have brought him such newes, as will please him right 
well." " Well then, I will goe," quoth I, "and wake him, and 
cause him to rise." I went incontinent to my lord's chamber 
dore, and knocked there, so that my lord spake to me, and asked 
me what I would have. With that I tould him of the comming 
of Sir John Russell ; and then he called up to him one of his 
gromes to let me in ; and when I was come to him, I tould him 
againe of the journey that Sir John Russell had taken that 
troublesome night. " I pray God all be for the beste," quoth he. 
" Yes Sir," quoth I, " he shewed me, and so bade me tell you, 
that he had brought suche newes, as you would greatly rejoice 
thereat." " Well then," quoth he, " God be praised, and well- 
come be his grace ! Go ye and fetch him to me, and by that time 
I will be ready to talke with him." 

Then I returned into the lodge, and brought Mr. Russell from 
thence unto my lord, who had cast about him his night gowne. 
And when Mr. Russell was come before him, he most humbly 
reverenced him, upon his knees, whome my lord stowped unto, 
and toke him up, and bade him wellcome. " Sir," quoth he, " the 
king commendeth him unto you ;" and delivered him a great ring 
of gold with a Turkeis, for a token ; " and willed me, to bid you 
be of good cheere ; for he loveth you as well as ever he did, and 
is sorry for your trouble, whose minde runneth muche upon you. 
Insomuch that before his Grace sat downe to supper, he called me 
unto him, and desired me to take the paines secretly to visite 
you, and to comforte you the best of my powre. And Sir, I have 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 179 

had the sorest journey for so little a way, that ever I had to my 
remembraunce. 1, 

My lorde thanked him for his paines and good newes, and 
demaunded of him if he had supped ; and he saide " Nay." " Well 
then," quoth my lord, " cause the cookes to provide some meate 
for him ; and cause a chamber to be provided for him, that he 
may take his rest awhile upon a bed. ,, All which commaundement 
I fulfilled, and in the meane time my lord and master Russell 
were in secret communication ; and in the ende, master Russell 
went to his chamber, taking his leave of my lord, and said he 
would tarry but a while, for he would be at the courte at Green- 
wiche againe before day, and would not for any thing that it were 
knowne, that he had bin with my lorde that night. And so being 
in his chamber, having a small repaste, he rested him a while upon 
a bed, whiles his servauntes supped and dried them; and that done, 
incontinent he rode away againe with speede to the courte. (And 
after this within a while, my lord was restored to plate, vessells, 
and householde stuffe, of everything necessary some parte, so 
that he was better furnished than before. 

Now let us retourne againe to master Oromewell to see how he 
hath spedde, since he departed. The case stode so, that the 
parliament should begin crastino animarum 5 , or there abouts, and 
he being within London devised with himself to be one of the 
burgesses of the parliament, and chaunced to meete with one Sir 
Thomas Rush, knighte, a speciall friend of his, whose son was 
appointed to be a burgess, of whome he obtained his rome, and 
so put his fete into the parliament house ; so that within two or 
three daies after his departure from my lord, he came againe to 

5 Crastino animarum.~\ 3rd November, 1529. 
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180 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



Asshere, with a pleasaunte countenaunce, and saide to me, that 
he had once adventured to put in his feete, where he would 
be better regarded, or ever the parliament were finished. Then 
talked he with my lorde, and after his talke he rode againe to 
London, because he would not be absent from the parliament. 
There was nothing done against him in the parliament house, 
but he sent to my lorde to knowe what answer he might make 
in his behalfe ; insomuch that there was nothing alleadged 
against my lord, but that he was ready to make aunswer thereto ; 
insomuch that at the length his honest estimation and earnest 
behaviour in his masters cause, grewe so in every man^s opinion, 
that he was reputed the most faithful servant to his master of all 
other, wherein he was greatly of all men commended. 

Then was there brought in 6 a bill of articles into the Parlia- 
ment house to have my lord condemned of treason; against 
which bill Mr. Cromewell inveighed so discreetly, with such witty 
persuasions and depe reasons, that the same could take no effect 7 . 
Then were his enemies constrained to indight him 8 in apremunire, 
and all was to intitle the king to his goods and possessions, the 
which he had obtained and purchased for the maintenance of his 
colledges in Oxonforde and Ipswiche, whereof he was then in 
building in the most sumptuous wise 9 . Wherein when my lord 

6 Brought in.'] Dec. 1529. Lord Herbert, p. 302. 

7 The same could take no effect. .] " I ascribe its rejection to the king, from 
the character of Cromwell, and the general subserviency of the parliaments in 
this reign. Cromwell would not have dared to oppose the bill, nor the com- 
mons to reject it, had they not received an intimation that such was the 
royal pleasure." Lingard, vi. 160. 

8 To indight him.'] See State Trials, vol. i. p. 367—86. 

9 Sumptuous wise.] Cavendish, it is much to be regretted, had no taste for 
enlarging on his master's noble designs for the advancement of learning and 
science. For instance, one of these was, to procure all the manuscripts in 

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181 



was demaunded by the judges, which were sent unto him to 
knowe his mind, and to take his aunswer therein, he aunswered 
them in this wise, " My lordes, judges, 1 '' quoth he, " the kings 
highness knoweth, whether I have offended his majesty or no, in 
using of my prerogative legantine, for which I am indighted. I 
have the king's licence in my coffers under his hande and broad 
seale for the exercising and using thereof, in the most largest 
wise ; the which now are in the hands of my ennemies. There- 
fore, because I will not stande in question with the kinge in his 
owne cause, I will here presently confesse before you the indight- 
ment, and put me wholly into the mercy and grace of the kinge, 
trusting that he hath a conscience and a discretion to consider 
the truthe, and my humble submission and obedience ; wherein I 
might right well stand to the triall thereof by justice. But thus 
much ye may say to his highness, that I am wholly under his 
obedience, and will ; and doe submit myselfe to all things that 
shall be his princely pleasure, whose will and commaundement I 
never disobeied or repugned, but was alwaies contented and glad to 
please him before God, whom I ought most chief ely to have obeied ; 
the which now me repents. Notwithstanding, I most hartely 
require you, to have me unto his royall majestie comended, for 
whome I doe and will, during my life, pray to God, to send him 
much prosperity, honour, and victory over his enemies." And 
therewith they toke their leave, and departed. 



the Vatican to be transcribed for the service of his country. — Grove's Life 
of Wolsey, vol. ii. p. 313. A few years since, the English government pro- 
cured, chiefly through the intervention of Mr. W. R. Hamilton, whilst minis- 
ter at the court of Naples, transcripts from the archives of the Vatican of a 
vast number of documents relative to the history of this country. The col- 
lection is now deposited in the British Museum for public use. 



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182 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

Shortly after the king sent the duke of Norfolk unto him in 
message ; but what it was I am not certaine ; therefore I omit 
to speake thereof. But my lord being advertised, that my lord 
of Norfolke was comming even at hand, he caused all his gentle- 
men to waite upon him downe through the hall into the base 
courte, to receive the duke at the gates ; and commaunded all 
his yeomen to stand in order still in the hall. And he himselfe, 
with all his gentlemen, went to the gates, where he received my 
lord of Norfolke bareheaded ; who imbraced each other ; and so led 
him by the arm through the hall into his chamber. And when the 
duke had passed through unto the upper end of the hall, regarding 
the number of tall yeomen that stood on each side thereof ; he 
tourned againe to the yeomen, and saide, " Sirs," quoth he, 
" your diligent and faithful service unto your master in this his 
calamity, hath purchased you of all men, noble and ignoble, much 
honesty; in so much that the king comaunded me to say to 
you in his name, that for your true and lovinge service that ye 
have done to your master, his highness will see you all at any 
time furnished with services, according to your demerits." With 
that my lorde put offe his cappe, and saide to my lorde of Nor- 
folke ; " Sir," quoth he, " these men be all approved men : 
wherefore it were pitty they should want any service ; and being 
sorry that I am not able to doe for them, as my harte wisheth, I 
will therefore require you, my good lord, to be good lord unto 
them, and extend your charity among them, where and when ye 
shall see occasion, at any time hereafter ; and that ye will pre- 
ferre their diligence and faithfull service unto the king." " Doubt 
you not my lord," quoth my lord of Norfolke, "but I will doe for 
them the beste in my powre ; and whereas I shall see cause, I 
will be an earnest suter for them to the king ; and some of you 

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I will retaine my selfe in service for right honest men. And as 
ye have begonne, so continue, untill ye heare more of the king's 
pleasure. God's blessing and mine be with you !" And so went 
up into the great chamber to dinner, whom my lord cardinall 
thanked ; and saide unto him, u Yet my lord, of all other noble 
men, I have most cause to thanke you for your noble and gentle 
harte, the which you have shewed me behinde my backe, as my 
servante Thomas Oromewell well hath reported unto me. But 
even as ye be a noble man in dede, so have you shewed yourselfe 
no lesse to all men in calamity, and in especiall to me, whome ye 
have brought downe, from my high estate, but now againe, being 
in this my miserable estate, you have extended your favour most 
honorably with great charity. Ye doe right well deserve to 
beare in your armes 10 the noble and gentle lion, having the very 

10 In your armes.'] There is no lion in the arms of Howard, save the aug- 
mentation granted to the earl of Surrey for his victory in 1513 over James 
IV., at Flodden; 

" Where in his banner's ample fold 
The ruddy lion ramp'd in gold." 

This augmentation, borne by all Surrey's descendants to this day, consists of 
the Scottish banner, with this difference, that the ruddy lion is cut in half, 
and pierced through the mouth with an arrow. Surrey was entitled, how- 
ever, to quarter with his own arms those of Mowbray (a silver lion on a red 
field), and those of Segrave (a silver lion, with a crown of gold, on a black 
field), and he therefore used as a device, and as a badge for his retainers, a 
white lion tearing a red lion. Buchanan says : (lib. xiii. 38) " Magnam 
ex ilia pugna contra Scotos Thomas Havartus Surrise comes gloriam reporta- 
verat, si moderate suam fortunam tulisset. Sed homo secundarum rerum 
successu quasi ebrius, et instabilitatis humana? parum memor, suis domes- 
ticis ministris (ut mos est Anglis) notam qua agnoscerentur, in sinistris 
brachiis ferendam dedit, leonem album (quo ipse insigni utebatur), qui 
rubrum superincumbens unguibus discerperet. Hanc ejus insolentem in- 
sultationem velut numine plectente, nemo fere posterorum ejus alterutrius 
sexus, sine insigni ignominia vel clade decessit." This judgment, as Bu- 



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property of the lion, whose naturall property is, when he hath 
vanquished a cruell beaste, and seeth him yelded, lying prostrate 

chanan would have it to be, was true to a certain extent, up to the time 
when he wrote, viz. about 1580. 

Surrey's contemporaries allude to this badge. Skelton, in (an addition 
to) his epitaph on Henry VII. says, 

" Quern leo candidior rubeum necat ense leonem." 
And again in his lines "Against the Scottes," 

" The whyte lyon, there rampaunt of moode, 

He ragyd and rent out your hart bloode, 

He the whyte and ye the red : 

The whyte there slew the red starke ded," 
Roy, on the title page of his " Rede me and be not wrothe " (before men- 
tioned, see p. 39), has given a coarsely imagined shield of arms which he 
calls Wolsey's, and which, in heraldic phrase, may be thus described : Quar- 
terly, i. and iv. three bulls' heads caboshed : ii. and hi. three butchers' 
hatchets ; on an inescutcheon a mastiff passant, with part of a crown in his 
mouth : at the back is a thick club : the whole surmounted by a cardinal's 
cap. It is almost needless to add, that these arms are supposititious and in- 
tended to be satirical : Wolsey's real arms were those now used by Christ 
Church College, Oxford. Roy adds what is more to the purpose of this 
note, viz.: — 

" Of the prowde Cardinall this is the shelde, 

Borne up betwene two angels off Sathan, 

The sixe blouddy axes in a bare felde, 

Sheweth the cruelte of the red man 

Whiche hathe devoured the beautiful swan ; 

Mortall enmy unto the Whyte Lion, 

Carter of Yorcke j the vyle butchers sonne. 
****** 

The ban dog in the middes doth expresse 

The mastiff curre bred in Ypswitch towne, 

Gnawinge with his teth a kynges crowne." 

The swan was the badge of the duke of Buckingham, (father-in-law of the 
duke of Norfolk,) beheaded in 1521, at the instigation, Roy means to insinu- 
ate, of Wolsey. 

It is this duke of Norfolk whom Wolsey here addresses, and who, though 

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before him under his feete, then will he be mercifull unto him, 
and doe him no more hurte, ne suffer any ravenous beast to 
devour him : all whose naturall inclination ye have ; where I may 
say these verses in your commendation, 

" Parcere prostratis n scit nobilis ira leonis : 
Tu quoque fac simile, quisquis regnabis in orbe." 



not the commander at Flodden, yet bore a great share in the fight. He, being 
then lord admiral of England, led the van, whilst his younger brother, lord 
Edmund Howard, was marshal of the horse, and their father, the earl of 
Surrey, commanded the centre. 

The importance of heraldry in the days of which we speak must not be 
measured by the little consideration given to it in modern times. To Henry 
and to those of his court it had a meaning, and spoke of rights. We shall 
see the case of Anne Boleyn (p. 203); Henry himself chose arms for his 
natural son, the duke of Richmond ; Wolsey found it necessary, in order to 
appease Henry, in 1523, to offer that his treasurer, Sir William Gascoigne, 
should make oath that the earl of Northumberland, whilst lord warden of 
the North Marches, did not bear the cross keys, the badge of the church 
of York, but the king's cognizance, and, under that, the Percy badge : and 
a principal article in the indictment of treason against the celebrated earl of 
Surrey, (son of the duke of Norfolk, whom Wolsey here addresses, and 
grandson of the victor of Flodden-field,) was that he quartered the arms 
of Edward the Confessor with those of the house of Howard. 

11 Parcere prostratis.~\ Skelton alludes to these lines in his elegy on the 
death of the earl of Northumberland, who was massacred by the mob in his 
house at Cock-lodge, near Thirsk, on the 28th April, 1489, and apostro- 
phises the young earl as the lion, meaning the bluelion, said to be the ancient 
coat of Brabant, which the Percies still use. 

" O yonge lyon, but tender yet of age, 

Grow and encrese, remember thyn estate ; 
God the assyst unto thyn herytage, 
And geue the grace to be more fortunate. 
Agayn rebellyones arme the to make debate ; 
And as the lyone, which is of testes kynge, 
Unto thy subiectes be curteis and benygne." 

Percy's Reliques, i. 95, and Dyce, i. 12. 

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186 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

With these words the water was brought them to washe ; to 
the which my lorde called my lorde of Norfolke, to washe with 
him : but he refused so to doe of curtesy, and saide, " that it 
became him no more to presume to washe with him now, than 
it did before 1 V " Yes," quoth my lord, " for my legacy is 
gone \ wherein stode all my high honnor." "A strawe," quoth my 
lord of Norfolke, " for your legacy. I never esteemed your honnor 
the higher for that. But I esteemed your honnor, for that ye 
were archbishop of Yorke, and a cardinall, whose estate and 
honnor surmounteth any duke within this realme ; and even so 
will I honnor you, and acknowledge the same, in doing you 
reverence and honnor accordingly. Therefore contente you, I 
will not presume to washe with you ; and therefore I pray you 
hold me excused. 1 ' Then was my lord compelled to wash all alone ; 
and when he had done, then my lorde of Norfolke washed by 
himselfe. That done, my lord cardinall would have had him sit 

12 Than it did before.'] During the visit of the emperor Charles V. to 
Henry VIII., in May, 1520. Henry went to meet "his nephew" at Canter- 
bury, (a fact which was duly chronicled in the edition of Lily's Grammar 
published that year, in the phrase " Audito regem Doroberniam prqficisci" 
This phrase was transferred to the Eton Grammar where it still exists, with 
the marvellous translation, " It being heard that the king was set out for 
Dover") Stowe gives an account of the meeting, adding, " On Monday at 
nine of the clocke at night, was begun a banquet, which endured till the 
next morning at three of the clocke, at the which banquet the emperor, the 
king, and the queene did wash together, the duke of Buckingham giving the 
water, the duke of Suffolke holding the towel. Next them did washe the 
Lord Cardinally the queene of Fraunce, (Henry's sister Mary, wife of the 
duke of Suffolk,) and the queene of Aragon (Juana, mother of the emperor). 
At which banquet the emperor kept the estate, the king sitting on the left 
hand, next him the French queene ; and on the other side sate the queene, 
the cardinally and the queene of Aragon ; which banquet was served by the 
emperor's owne servants." Stowe's Annals, p. 510. Edit. 1615. 

1 Legacy is gone.] Meaning his office of legate. 

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downe on the chaire, in the inner side of the table, but he refused 
the same with much humbleness. Then was there another chaire 
set for my lorde of Norfolke, over against my lord cardinall, on 
the outside of the table, the which he caused to be based some- 
thing beneathe, and would not sit directly against my lord: 
having all their communication of the diligent service of the 
gentlemen, who waited upon him there at dinner, and how much 
the king and all the other lordes did esteeme and commend them 
in so doing ; and how little they are regarded in the courte that 
are come to the king's service, and have forsaken their master in 
this time of necessity ; whereof some he blamed by name. And 
thus their dinner and conversation ended, they rose and went 
into my lordes privy chamber, where they continued in consulta- 
tion. 

And being there, it chaunced Mr. Shelley 2 , the judge, came 
thither, who was sent from the king ; whereof relation was made 
to my lord, which caused the duke and him to break up their 
communication ; and the duke desired to goe to a chamber, to 
repose him there for a while. And comming forthe of my lorde's 
chamber, he met with Mr. Shelley, to whome Mr. Shelley resorted, 
and after he had made relation of the cause of his comming, he 
desired my lorde of Norfolke to tarry and to assist him in doing 
of his message ; whom he denied and saide, " I have nothing to 
doe with your message, wherein 1 will not meddle ;" and so 
departed into a chamber, where he toke his rest for an houre or 
two. And in the mean time my lorde issued out of his privy 
chamber, and came to Mr. Shelley to knowe his message. Who, 



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2 Mr. Shelley.'] Sir William Shelley, one of the judges of the Common 
Pleas. 

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188 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

after due salutation, did declare unto him, the king^ pleasure was 
to have my lorde's house, called York Place nere Westminster, 
belonging to the bishopricke of Yorke, and to possess the same 
according to the lawes of his realme. " His highness hath sent 
for all the judges, and all the learned counsaile, to knowe their opi- 
nions for the assurance thereof ; whose opinions be fully resolved, 
that your Grace must make a recognisaunce, and before a judge 
acknowledge and confesse the right thereof to belong to the king 
and his successors ; and so his highness shall be assured thereof. 
Wherefore it hath pleased the king to appoint and send me hither, 
to take of you the same recognisaunce, having in your grace such 
affiaunce, as that ye will not refuse soe to doe. Therefore I shall 
desire your grace to know your pleasure therein." — '^Master 
Shelley," quoth my lord, " I knowe that the king of his owne 
nature is of a royall stomache, not willing more than justice shall 
leade him unto by the lawe. And therefore, I counsaile you and 
all other judges and learned men of his counsaile to put no more 
into his heade than lawe, that may stande with conscience ; for 
when ye tell him this is the lawe, it were well done ye should tell 
him also that although this be the lawe, yet this is conscience ; 
for lawe without conscience is not mete to be given to a king by 
his counsell, to be ministered by him, ne by any of his ministers : 
for every counsellor to a king ought to have a respect to con- 
science, before the rigour of the lawe, for laus est facere quod 
decet, non quod licet. The king ought for his royall dignity and 
prerogative to mitigate the rigour of the lawe, where conscience 
hath the more force : and therefore in his princely place, he hath 
constituted a chauncellor to order for him the same. And there- 
fore the courte of the chauncery hath been commonly called the 
courte of conscience ; because it hath jurisdiction to command 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



189 



the lawe in every case to desist from the execution of the rigour 
of the same, whereas conscience hath most effect. Therefore I 
say unto you in this case, although you and other of your pro- 
fession, perceive by the orders of the lawe, that the king may 
lawfully doe the thing which ye require of me ; how say you Mr. 
Shelley may I doe it with conscience, to give that away which is 
none of mine, from me and my successors ? If this be the lawe 
and conscience, I pray you shewe me your opinion." u Forsothe, 
my lorde, 11 quoth he, " there is no great conscience. But having 
regarde to the king's high powre, and to a better purpose, it may 
the better stand with conscience ; who is sufficient to recompense 
the churche of Yorke with double the valewe. 11 " That I knowe 
well, but there is no such condition, 11 quoth my lorde, " but only 
a bare and simple departure with another's right. For if every 
bishoppe that may, should so doe, then might every prelate give 
away the patrimony of their churches ; and so in process leave 
nothing for their successors to maintain their dignity ; which 
should be but smally to the king's honnor. Well, I will not 
stand long with you in this matter, let me see your commission. 11 
To whome Mr. Shelley shewed the same, and that seene, " Mr. 
Shelley, 11 quoth he, " ye shall shewe the king's highness, that I 
am his most faithfull subjecte, obediencer, and beadman, whose 
royall commaundement and requeste I will in no wise disobey, but 
fulfill his pleasure in all such things, wherein ye fathers of the 
lawe say I may lawfully doe. Therefore I charge your conscience 
to discharge me. Howbeyt, shewe his highness from me, that I 
most humbly desire his majestie to call to his most gracious 
remembrance, that there is both a heaven and a hell." And 
herewithall the clerke toke and wrote the recognisaunce, and 
after some secrete talke they departed. Then rose my lorde of 



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190 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

Norfolke from his repose, and after some communication with my 
lorde he likewise departed. 

Thus continued my lorde at Asshur, who received daily mes- 
sages from the courte, some good and some as evil, but moe evil 
than good. For his enemies, perceiving the good affection and 
minde that the king bare allwaies towards him, devised a mean 
to disquiet his patience ; thinking thereby to give him an occasion 
to fret and chafe, that death should rather ensue, than otherwise, 
the which they most desired. They feared him more after his 
fall, than they did in his prosperity, doubting his retourne againe 
into authority by the kings favour ; whereby they might rather 
be in daunger of their lives, than in any assuraunce, for their 
cruelty ministered unto him by their malicious inventions, sur- 
mised and brought to passe against him. 

\ Therefore they toke this order in their matters with him, that 
daily they would send him something, or doe something against 
him, wherein they thought they might give him an occasion of 
heaviness. As some day they would cause the king to send for 
fowre or six of his gentlemen from him to serve the king : and 
some other day they would lay newe matters newely invented 
against him. Another day they would take away some of his 
promotions ; or some of their promotions from them whom he 
had preferred before. Then would they fetch from him some of 
his yeomen ; in somuche that the king toke sixteen of them at 
one time into his garde. 

This was his life continually ; so that there was not one day 
but, or ever he went to bed, he had an occasion greatly to chafe, 
and to frete the harte out of his body, but that he was a wise 
man, and bare all things in patience. 

r At Christmas he fell very sore sicke, most likely to die. 



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" Yea, sir,'' 1 quoth he. " How do you like him V quoth 
" Sir," quoth he, " if you will have him dead, I war- 



Whereof the king being advertised, was very sorry, and sent 
doctor Buttes 3 , his phisition, unto him, to see in what estate he 
was. Doctor Buttes came unto him, finding him lying very sicke 
in his bed ; and perceiving the daunger retourned to the king. 
Of whom the king demaunded, saying, " Have you seen yonder 
man?" 
the king. 

rant him he will be dead within these foure days, if he receive 
no comforte from you shortly, and Mrs. Anne." 4 (Marye," 
quoth the king, " God forbid that he should die. I pray you, 
master Buttes goe againe unto him, and doe your care unto him ; 
for I would not lose him for twenty thousande poundes." " Then 
must your grace," quoth master Buttes, " send him first some 
comfortable message, as shortly as ye can." " Even so I will," 
quoth the king, " by you. And therefore make speede to him 
againe, and ye shall deliver him this ring from me, for a token," 
(in the which ring was the king's image, engraved within a ruby, 
as like the king as could be devised). " This ring he knoweth 
right well ; for he gave me the same ; and tell him, that I am 
not offended with him in my harte nothing at all, and that shall 
he knowe shortly. Therefore bid him pluck up his harte, and be 
of good comforte. And I charge you come not from him, untill 
ye have brought him out of the daunger of death." Then spake 
the king to mistress Anne Bullen, saying, "\(xood sweete harte, 
I pray you, as ye love me, send the cardinall a token at my desire, 
with comfortable wordes ; and in so doing ye shall deserve our 



3 Doctor Buttes.] Sir William Buttes, knight, whose portrait is introduced 
by Holbein, in the picture representing Henry VIII. giving a charter of in- 
corporation to the barber-surgeons' company. 



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192 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



thankes." She not being disposed to offend the king, would not 
disobey his loving request, what soever in her harte she intended 4 
towards the cardinall ; but toke incontinent her tablet of gold, 
that hung at her girdle, and delivered it to master Buttes, with 
very gentle and comfortable wordes. And so master Buttes 
departed with speede to Asshur ; after whom the king sent doc- 

4 What soever in her harte she intended.'] " It was the providence and just 
judgement of God, that that which he intended to the harme of others should 
be the occasion of his owne overthrowe. For the king (the cardinall nothing 
less expecting) had fallen in love with Ann Bullen, and upon her his heart was 
so thoroughlie and entirely fixed, that he had, contrarie to his speeches to the 
cardinall, resolutely determined to marry her. Wherefore there was a mes- 
senger dispatched with letters to the cardinall, willing and commanding him, 
that of other matters he should breake with the French kinge, but in no cause 
he should speake a word of the marriage. Yet the cardinall moved it, as 
being the chief thing to bring his malicious drift to effect. Which Ladie Anne 
understanding, afterwards never ceased to urge and press the king against him, 
till he was utterlie overthrowne." — Life of Sir T. More, in Wordsworth's Eccle- 
siastical Biography, (4th edit.) vol. ii. p. 125. Wolsey was fully conscious of 
this feeling towards him, for in a letter written at this time from Esher to 
Cromwell, he desires to hear " sum specialness if the desspleasure of my lady 
Anne be sumwhat assuagyd, as I pray God the same may be." — II. Ellis, 
ii. p. 28. 

There were three grounds on which we may well suppose Anne Boleyn's 
enmity to be founded. 1. Wolsey, at the king's desire, had broken off 
her engagement with the heir of the earl of Northumberland, for a cause 
of which she, at least, was ignorant : and, in spite of Cavendish's expressions, 
it is but fair towards Wolsey to infer, that he then believed in good faith the 
king's intention to be (in accordance with his declaration) to marry her to 
the son of Sir Piers Butler, and his anger to be caused solely by opposition to 
his royal wishes. 2. When, at a later time, Wolsey could not but have known 
of Henry's love for her, and when she was certainly acquainted with it, he 
wished the king to marry a French princess. 3. When Henry had declared 
his intention to marry her, and when, as there is but too much cause for be- 
lieving, she had yielded to his wishes, she considered (whether rightly or 
wrongly is not of importance) that Wolsey was lukewarm in promoting 
Henry's divorce from Katharine. 

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tor Cromer the Scot, doctor Clement 5 , and doctor W otton 6 , to 
consulte with master Buttes for my lordes recovery. 
/ After that master Buttes had been with my lorde and delivered 
the kings and mistress Annes tokens unto him, with the most 
comfortable wordes that he could devise on the kings and mistress 
Annes behalfe, he rejoiced not a little, and advaunced himselfe on 
his bed, and received the tokens most joyfully, thanking master 
Buttes for his paines and good comforte. Master Buttes tould 
him furthermore that the kings pleasure was, that he should 
minister unto him for his health : and to joine with him, for the 
better and most assured waies, he hath sent neither doctor Cle- 
ment, doctor Cromer, and doctor Wotton. i Therefore my lorde," 
quoth he, " It were well done they were called in to visite you, 
and to consulte with them, and to have their opinions of your 
disease, trusting to Almighty Cod that we shall, through his 
grace and helpe, ease you of your paines, and rid you of your 
infirmities." To this motion my lorde was contented to hear 
their judgement ; for he trusted more to doctor Cromer than to 
all the rest, because he was the very meane to bring him from 
Paris into Englande, and gave him partly his exhibition in Paris. 
Then when they were come into his chamber, and had talked 
with him, he tooke upon him to debate his disease learnedly, so 
that they might perceive that he was sene in that arte. After } 
they had taken order for their ministration, it was not long ere 
they brought him out of daunger ; and within foure daies they 
set him on his feete, and got him a stomache to meate. All this 



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5 Clement.'] " Dr. John Clement, famous for his singular skill in Greek 
and in Phisicke." — Life of Sir Thomas More, in Wordsworth's Ecclesiastical 
Biography, vol. ii. 

6 Wotton.'} Dr. Nicholas Wotton, afterwards dean of Canterbury and York. 

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194 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



done, and he in a right good way of amendment, they toke their 
leave to departe, to whome my lorde offered to each of them his 
rewarde ; the which they refused, saying, that the king had given 
them a speciall commaundement, that they should take of him 
nothing for their paines and ministration ; for at their retourne 
he himselfe would sufficiently rewarde them of his owne costes : 
and with great thankes they departed, and lefte my lord in good 
state of recovery, 

(After this time my lord amended daily, and continued at 
Asshur, untill Candlemas 7 ; before and against which feaste, the 
king caused to be sent unto my lorde three or foure carte loades 
of stuffe, and most thereof, excepte beds and kitchin stuffe, was 
loaded in great standards, wherein was bothe plate and rich 
hangings and chappell stuffe. Then my lord, being thus fur- 
nished, was therewith contented ; although they whome the king 
assigned did not deliver him so good, ne so riche stuffe, as the 
kings pleasure was, yet was he well contented, and rendered 
most humble thanks to the king, and thanked them that ap- 
pointed the same for him, saying to us his servaunts, when those 
appointed persons were gone, at the opening of the saide stand- 
ardes, that he thought it might have bene better appointed, 
'(But sirs," quoth my lord, " he that hath nothing is glad of 
somewhat : and though it be not in comparison so much, ne yet 
in valewe so good as we had before, of all the great aboundaunce 
that then we had, yet we give the kinge our most humble thankes, 
trusting after this to attaine to more. Therefore let us all 
rejoice, and be glad that Grod and the king hath so graciously 

" Candlemas.'] 2nd February, 1530. On the first of Feb. Wolsey wrote to 
Cromwell from Esher, that he could not remove to Richmond on that day, 
not being prepared. State Papers, i. 361. 

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favoured us to restore us to something to maintaine our estate 
like a noble person." 

(Then commanded he master Cromwell to make earnest suite 
to the kinge, that he might remove from thence to some other 
house, for he was weary of the house of Asshur 8 ; for with con- 
tinuall usage the house waxed unsavoury ; supposing that if he 
might remove, he shoulde much sooner recover his healthe. And 
also the counsell had put in the kings heade, that the newe gal- 
lery 9 , which my lorde had lately builded before his fall shoulde be 
very necessary for the king, to take it downe and set it at West- 
minster ; which standeth at this day there, from the old gallery 
next the kings lodging, unto the first gatehouse. The taking 
away whereof was a great course that his enemies daily invented 
of new, to torment him, the which discouraged him any longer 
to continue there. 

Nowe master Cromewell thought it but folly and vaine to move 
any of the king^s counsell, who were my lordes ennemies, to 
helpe his suite to the kinge for my lordes removing, for they 
would rather have removed him further from the king, than to 



s Weary of the house of Asshur."] In a letter to Gardiner, Wolsey thus 
describes his feelings at Esher : " I pray you at the reverens of God to help, 
that expedition be used in my presents, the delay wherof so replenyssheth my 
herte with hevyness, that I can take no reste, nat for any vayne fere, but 
onely for the miserabli condycion that I am presently yn, and lyclyhod to 
contynue in the same onles that ye, in whom ys myn assuryd truste, do help 
and releve me therein ; for fyrst contynuyng here in this moweste (moist) and 
corrupt eyer, beyng enteryd in to the passyon of the dropsy, cum prostratione 
appetitus, et continuo insompnus, I cannat lyve ; wherfor of necessyte I must 
be removyd to summe other dryer eyer and place, wher I may have coramo- 
dyte of physycyans." — I. Ellis, ii. p. 7. 

9 The newe gallery^] The plans apparently of these galleries are preserved 
in the British Museum, Cott. MS. Aug. I. 

c c 2 



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196 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



have holpen him to come nearer unto him ; wherefore he made 
suite to the kings person only ; whose suite the kinge graciously 
heard, and thought it very convenient to be graunted ; and there- 
with, through the motion of master Cromewell, the kinge was 
contented he should remove to Richmond, which place my lorde 
had a little before repaired to his great costes ; for the king had 
made an exchaunge thereof with him for Hampton-court. All 
this was done without knowledge of the kings counsell ; for if 
they might have had understanding thereof before, then would 
thay have persuaded the king to the contrary : but when they 
knewe of the kings graunt and license, although thej dissimuled 
their mindes in the kings presence, yet were they afraide of him, 
lest his nigh resorte to the king, might move the king at some 
braide 10 , to have resorted unto him, and to have called him home 
againe considering the great loving affection that the king daily 
shewed unto him ; wherefore they doubted his rising up againe, 
if they founde not the meanes shortly to remove him further from 
the king. Insomuch that they thought it convenient for their 
purpose to move the king, upon considerations, which they in- 
vented, that it were very necessary that my lorde should goe 
downe into the North unto his benefice, where he should be a 
good staye for the country ; to the whiche the king condescended, 
thinking no lesse than all had been true as they had made rela- 
tion. Their suggestion was forced so with wonderful imagina- 

10 Braide.'] Quarrel, dispute, upbraiding. 

So, in Roy's Satire against the Cardinall : the " Rede me and be not wrotlie" 
before quoted. 

" If he had been at this brayde, 

He would have made such a noyse 
With his horrible shryll voyce, 
Mete to have made them afrayde." 

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tions of depe considerations that the king was straightways per- 
suaded to their conclusion. Whereupon my lorde of Norfolke 
bade master Cromewell, who daily resorted to my lord, to say to 
him, that he must goe home to his benefice, and there looke to 
his charge : who at his next repaire to my lorde, then lying at 
Richmond, declared unto him, howe it was determined that he 
should goe home to his benefice. " Well then Thomas," quoth 
my lord, " we will go to Winchester." " I will," quoth master 
Cromewell, " she we my lorde of Norfolk what ye saye." And so 
he did at his next meeting with him. " What should he doe 
there V quoth the duke. " Nay, let him goe to his riche bishop- 
ricke of Yorke, where his honors and more charge lieth ; and so 
shewe him." The lordes who were not his friends, perceiving 
that my lorde was disposed to plant himselfe so nighe the kinge, 
thought then to withdrawe his appetite from Winchester, and 
then moved the king to give my lord a pension of four thousand 
markes out of Winchester, and all the rest to distribute among 
his nobility and servants ; and soe likewise to divide the revenues 
of St. Albans : whereof some had three hundred marks, and some 
a hundred pounds, and soe some more and some less ; and all 
the revenues of the lands belonging to the colledge of Oxenforde " 



11 The colledge of Oxenforde."] "The revenues also of his two colleges were 
torn and divided, which grieved him more than any other affliction : insomuch 
that he wrote to the king, humbly, as on his knees, with weeping eyes, that 
the college of Oxford might stand, and importuned Cromwell to this purpose, 
since they are in a manner, saith he, opera manuum tuarum. But Cromwell 
returned him no comfort herein, saying, ' the king was determined to dissolve 
them, though whether he meant to restore them again, and found them in 
his own name, he knew not ; but wishes him to be content/ &c. Howsoever, 
in the traffic concerning these and other lands, as well as negociating his 
master's business, Cromwell shewed that dexterity which at last won him 



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and Ipswiche, the kinge toke into his owne hands ; whereof mas- 
ter Oromewell had the receipt and government before by my 
lorde his assignment ; wherefore it was thought very necessary 
that he should so have still, who executed all things thereof so 
exactly and wittily, that he was had in great estimation for his 
behaviour therein, and also for the true and faithful demeanour 
towards his lord and master. 

Then it came to passe that those to whome the kings majestie 
had given any annuities or fees, for terme of life, by patent could 
not be good, but only during my lords life, forasmuch as the king 
had no longer estate therein, the which he had by reason of my 
lord his attaynder in the premunire, and to make their estates 
good and sufficient for the termes of their lives, there was none 
other shifte but to obtaine my lords confirmation of their patents. 
And this to be brought aboute, there was no meane, but to sue 
to master Cromewell to obtaine the same at my lord his handes, 
whom they thought the best instrument for their purpose. 

Then began every man bothe noble and gentleman 12 who had 
any patents of the kinge out of Winchester or St. Albans, to 
make suite to Mr. Cromewell to solicit the cause to my lorde, to 
get therein his confirmation ; and for his paines therein, bothe 
worthely to rewarde him, and every man to shewe him such 
pleasures, as should be at all times in their severall powers, 

much credit both with the king and his principal counsellors." — Lord Herbert, 
in State Trials, vol. i. p. 382. 

12 Both noble and gentleman. ,] " These were the Lord Sandys and his son Sir 
Thomas, Sir William Fitzwilliam (afterwards Earl of Southampton), Sir Henry 
Guilford, Sir John Russell (afterwards Earl of Bedford), and Sir Henry Nor- 
ris. Their pensions ought to have ceased at the death of the cardinal, who 
had only a life interest in the bishopric : but they were then settled on them 
for life by act of parliament. Rolls, clxxxviii. St. 22 Henry VIII. 22. 
State Papers, i. 355." Lingard, vi. 161. 

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whereof they assured him. Wherein master Oromewell perceived 
an occasion given him by time to help himselfe, and to bring to 
passe that he long sought for ; intending to worke in this matter 
according to their desires, the soner to bringe his owne enterprise 
and purpose to passe. 

Then at his next retourne to my lorde, he moved this matter 
unto him, and so persuaded with him, that they bothe wrought 
together to bringe in master Oromewell in place, where he might 
doe good to my lorde, and to himselfe. Now began matters to 
worke to bringe master Oromewell into estimation, in suche sorte 
as was much hereafter to his increase of dignity ; and every man 
having an occasion to have my lord his confirmation to their 
pattents, made new earnest suite unto him, who undertooke to do 
his beste. And having the ordering and disposition of the landes 
of these colleges, he had a great occasion of suitors, besides the 
continual access to the king, by meanes whereof, and through his 
witty demeanour, he grewe continually into the kings favour, as ye 
shall hereafter hear in this history. — But first let us retourne to 
the business for the assuraunce of all those great pattents, which 
the king hath given and graunted to diverse noblemen and other 
gentlemen of his servants, wherein master Oromewell made great 
suite to my lorde, so that in processe he served so their tournes 
that they had their purpose, and he their good will. Thus rose 
his name and friendly acceptaunce with all men. The fame of his 
honesty and wisdome came to the king, and he perceived no lesse 
by his wise demeanors in those receipts and governments that he 
had of those landes as I shewed you before ; and the conference 
that he had therein with the king, caused the king to repute him 
to be a very wise man, and a mete instrument to serve his grace, 
as after it came to passe. 



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I Sir, nowe the lords thought very longe to have my lord re- 
moved further out of the kings way ; wherefore among other of 
my lords, my lord of Norfolke saide to master Cromewell, 
" Cromewell," quoth he, " me thinketh that the cardinall thy 
master maketh no haste to goe northwarde. Tell him if he goe 
not away but shall tarry, I shall teare him with my teethe 1 . 
Therefore I would advise him to prepare himselfe away, as 
shortly as he can, or else he shall be sent forwarde." These 
wordes master Cromewell reported to my lord at his next repare 
unto him, who then had an occasion to resort unto him, for the 
dispatche of the noble and gentlemens pattents. And here I will 
leave off this matter, and she we you of my lord his comming and 
continuing at Richmond. 

My lord having license of the king, which master Cromewell 
obtained for him, as I shewed you before in this history, to repare 
unto Richmond, he made haste all that he could to prepare 
thitherwarde ; and so he came and lodged there within the lodge 
of the great parke, which was a very pretty house and neat, lack- 
ing no roomes that be convenient for so little a house, where was 
also a very faire garden. There my lord lay 2 from the time of his 

1 Teare him with my teeth.'] An allusion to his badge, see p. 183, note. 

2 There my lord lay.~] Whilst at Richmond, Wolsey earnestly requested 
the help of Francis I., and of Louise of Savoy, that monarch's mother : " El 
R. Card. d'Yorch qual hora si trova apresso di Richemont, qua minio cinque 
miglia, instantemente solicita la sua causa apresso V. M. con ogni reverentia 
pregando lei e Madama, col sovenir' alia sua indigentia, manifestare la lor 
bonta. pieta, verso lui ; e memoria del suo prestato offitio e fatto servitio a V. M. 
e in tempo opportuno e necessario, cossi disse, sogiogendo se da V. M. e da 
Madama, si come lui non solo spera, ma al fermo si promette e expetta, 
tenendoli promessa, che cossi disse, e alia sua miseria havendo compassione, 
a questa sua indigentia sera sovenuti che quanto piu grande e stato ed e el 
suo caso ed infortunio ed in consequentia la sua necessita, questa demon- 

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201 



comming from Asshur unto Lent 3 , with a pretty number of ser- 
vants, because the house was very small for his whole familie ; 
and the rest of his servants went to borde wages. 

I will tell you a pretty tale, by the way of communication. As 
my lorde was accustomed to walke towardes the evening in his 
garden there, and to say his evensonge, and other his divine ser- 



stration' ed effetto di V. M. sera ascritta non solo a maggior testimonio, ma 
ad eterna memoria ed exempio della grandess. bonta, pieta e benignita de 
V. M. e de Madama per el suo fidato homo; havendo me S. Sign, prettamente 
ricercato per sua parte de quanto sopra avertire V. M. non gli possendo 
mancar' de questo offitio, con ogni reverentia l'ho fatto; del detto homo 
havuta promessa che le soprad. iij. quittancie fra quattro giorni mi seran 
date." Letter from Giov. Gioac. di Passano to Francis I., 15 March, 1530. 
Le Grand, iii. 411. 

From Du Bellay's statement, it i3 clear that Wolsey had received 
" presents " from the duchess of Angouleme, and was more French than 
Imperial. "Je vous asseure que la plus grand prinse que ses ennemis 
ayent eue sur luy, outre celle du mariage, ce a este de persuader ce roy qu'il 
avoit tousjours eu en temps de paix et de guerre intelligence secrette a 
madame, de laquelle la dicte guerre durant il avoit eu de grans presens, qui 
furent cause que Suffolc estant a Montdidier, (see p. 62) il ne le secourut 
d'argent comme il debvoit, dont advint qu'il ne print Paris : mais ils parlent 
en Poreille de ce propos, afin que je n'en sois adverty. Quant au dits presens, 
il espere que madame ne luy nuira oil il en sera parle, de toultes aultres choses 
il s'en recommande en sa bonne grace." — Bishop of Bayonne to Montmo- 
rency, 17 Oct. 1529. Le Grand, iii. 373, 374. 

Wolsey's pension appears to have been paid to him half-yearly, and up to 
the time of his fall, even if not afterwards : Giov. Gioac. di Passano, through 
whom, probably, the payments were made, writes from the Moore, on the 1 1th 
April, 1530, to Francis I., stating that he had obtained from Wolsey (who 
was then at Richmond), two acquittances for May and November 1528, and 
that he expected the acquittance for May, 1529. " Dal. Card . Diorch finalmente 
ho havuto le due quittancie de Magio e Novembre, 1528, et la terza de Magio, 
1529, che per causa non m'ha mandato, procurero haver." Le Grand, iii. 419. 
In April, 1530, Wolsey could not have given acquittances on the king's 
account. 

3 Unto Lent.] In 1530, Ash Wednesday fell on March 2. 

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'202 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



vice with his chapleine, it was my chaunce to waite upon him 
there ; and standing in an alley, whilst he in another alley walked 
with his chapleine, saying his service, as is aforesaide ; as I stode, 
I espied certaine images of beastes counterfeited in timber, stand- 
ing in a corner under the lodge, to the which I repared to behold. 
Among whom I sawe stand there a dunne cowe, whereon I most 
mused, because of the likely entailing 4 thereof. My lorde being 
in the further side of the garden, espied me, howe I vewed and 
surveied those beastes; and having finished his service, came 
soddenly upon me, or I was ware, and speaking unto me, saide, 
"What have you espied here, that you look so attentively upon V 
u Forsoothe, if it please your grace," quoth I, " here I behold 
these images ; the which I suppose were ordeined to be set up 
within some place about the king's palace : howbeyt, sir, among 
them all, I have most considered this cowe, in which (as me 
seemeth) the workman has most lively shewed his cunning." 
" Yea, mary" quoth he, " upon this cowe hangeth a certain pro- 
phecy, the which is this ; because peradventure you never heard 
it before, as I will she we you. There is a saying, 

" ( When the cowe rideth the bull, 
Then, priest, beware thy scull.' " 

Of which prophecy neither my lord hath declared it, nor yet I 
that heard it, understood the effecte ; although the compassing 
thereof was at that present a-working, and about to be brought to 
passe. This cowe the king gave by reason of the earldom of 
Richmonde 5 , which was his inheritance ; and this prophecy was 

4 Entailing."] From the Ital. intagliare, to cut, carve, &c. 

5 By reason of the earldom of Richmonde. ,] No trace of this badge or cog- 
nizance is to be found in Segar, Sandford, Gale, or Whittaker, nor in the 
common sources of information. 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 203 



afterwards expounded in this wise. The dunne cowe, because it 
was the kings beaste, betokened the king ; and the bull betokened 
mistress Anne Bulleine, which was after queene, because that her 
father gave a blacke bulls heade in his cognisaunce, and was his 
beaste. So that when the king had married queen Anne, the 
which was then unknowen to my lorde, or to any other that he 
would doe so, then was this prophecy thought of all men to be 
fulfilled 6 . For, what number of priestes, religious and seculers, 

6 Thought of all men to be fulfilled^] This curious story is singularly cor- 
roborated by some circumstances, which appear hitherto to have escaped 
notice, indicating a desire, on the part of Henry, to avoid as far as possible 
the use of the name and arms of Bullen. That it was not by reason of the 
inferiority of the family of Anne is proved from Lord Percy's declaration, that 
it was equal with his own : " although she be but a simple maid, having but a 
knight to her father, yet she is descended of right noble blood and parentage. 
As for her mother, she is nigh of the Norfolk's blood, and as for her father, 
he is descended of the earl of Ormond, being one of the earl's heirs general. 
Why should I then, sir, be any thing scrupulous to match with her, whose 
estate and descent is equal with mine, even when I shall be in most dignity ? " 
(See p. 48 of this volume.) Yet in the letters patent, by which she was 
created marchioness of Pembroke, she is styled not Anna Bullen, but Anna 
Rochford, which was not a name, but a title of her father. In the arms which 
she bore as marchioness of Pembroke, her paternal coat of Bullen (being that 
alluded to in the prophecy, argent a chevron gules between three bulls' heads 
couped sable), is wholly omitted. The arms granted to her as marchioness • 
consisted of four quarters, viz., Butler of Ormond ; Thomas of Brotherton, 
earl of Norfolk; Rochford; and Warren and Surrey. As queen she bore 
the same, with three additional quarters, granted to her as augmentations 
by Henry, viz. Lancaster, Angouleme, and Guienne ; still omitting the coat 
of Bullen. Now to Catherine Howard, Jane Seymour, and Catherine Parr, 
Henry also granted augmentations, but in their several achievements the 
coats of Howard, Seymour, and Parr formed the second quarter. Anne 
Bullen's is the exception. It is not easy to account for this, save from a 
probable desire, on the part of Henry, to nullify the coarse allusion in the 
proverb repeated by Wolsey. 

Amongst the Harleian MSS. in the British Museum, is a volume written 

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204 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

lost their heades for offending such lawes as were made to bring 
this marriage to effect, is not unknowne to all the worlde. There- 
fore it may well be judged that this prophecy is fulfilled upon this 
occasion. 

| Nowe, what dark riddelles and prophecies be, you may behold 
in the same : for before it came to passe there was not the wisest 
divinour, that could perfectly declare it, as it came to passe. 
Trust not therefore to any kind of darke prophecies, wherein ye 
may, as many have bene, be deceived ; and which hath brought 
many to destruction. And often the imagining to avoide such 
straunge prophecies hath bin the very occasion, the soner to bring 
the same to performaunce and effect. Therefore let men beware 
to deme and assure themselves upon any such prophecy ; for who 
so doeth shall first deceive himselfe, and then bring many into 
error with him ; whereof experience hath bin of late, the more 
pitty. But if men will needes think themselves so wise, that they 
think they be assured of such prophecies, and will worke their 
willes therein, either to avoide or fulfill the same, God sende him 
well to speede, for he may as well and much soner, take damage 
than avoide the daunger thereof ! Therefore let prophecies alone, 
a God's name, and apply your vocation, and commit such riddles 
• unto him that both knoweth the sequell, and can torne the same 
at his pleasure, and after all your enterprises to nothing, and 
cause you to repent your folly, the which you will confesse, when 

for Anne's use, when marchioness of Pembroke, with her arms in it (see an 
account of it in the British Magazine, April, 1846, vol. xxix. pp. 361 — 368), 
and in the Old Royal Library is another volume with her arms as queen. 
These last occur also in the title-page of Marsilius's Defence of Peace, Sfc, 
published by Marshall in 1535. A copy of her patent of peerage is in one 
of the Harleian MSS. which also belonged to her, and which contains a 
recital of the various grants made to her by Henry. 

6 — Q 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



205 



you shall smarte, for it yourselfe, and find it to be bothe great 
folly and much more foolishness to trust in such fantasies. Com- 
mit therefore all to God and to his disposition, who governeth 
and punisheth according to his pleasure, and not to all men^s 
judgement. 

You have heard heretofore what wordes the duke of Norfolke 
had to master Oromewell touching my lord his going unto his 
benefice at Yorke. At such time as master Oromewell repaired 
next to my lord, then shewed he him the wordes that my lorde 
of Norfolke had commaunded him to say. "Mary, Thomas," 
quoth my lord, " then it is time to be going, if he take it so. 
Therefore I pray you to go to the king, and ye may say that I 
would goe to my benefice at Yorke, but for lacke of money ; de- 
siring his grace to helpe me with some. For ye may say, the last 
money I received from his grace, hathe bin too little to paye my 
old debts ; and to compell me to the payment of the rest of my 
debts hath bin too much extremity ; bothe to take from me all 
my goods, and to put me to the paiment of my debts also ; 
wherein I trust his grace will have a charitable respect. Ye may 
also shewe my lord of Norfolke, and other of the counsell, that I 
would departe if I had money." " Sir," quoth master Oromewell, 
1,4 1 shall doe my best." And after other communication he 
departed againe, and went to London. 

[ My lord then in the beginning of lent removed out of the Lodge 
into the Charterhouse of Kichmond, where he lay in a lodging, 
which doctor Collet made for himselfe 7 , untill he removed north - 

7 Collet made for himselfe.'] " In the year 1414, King Henry V. founded at 
this place, an house for the maintenance and support of forty monks of the 
Carthusian order, whom he incorporated by the name of the house of Jesus 
of Bethlehem at Shene. The foundation charter describes it as built on the 



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206 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

warde ; which was in the Passion Weeke 8 after ; and every day 
resorted to the Charterhouse there, and in afternoones he would 
l sit in contemplation with one of the most auncient fathers of that 
house in their celles, who converted him, and caused him to 
despise the vaine glory of the world, and gave him shirtes of 
heare to weare, the which he ware diverse times after. And thus 
he continued for the time of his abode there in godly contem- 
plation. 

Whan master Cromewell came to the court, he shewed my 
lord of Norfolke that my lord would most gladly goe northwarde, 
but for lacke of money, wherein he desired his helpe to the king. 
Then was the king moved therein, as well by master Cromewell, 
as by the counsell ; the which matter the king referred to deter- 
mine and assigne to the counsell ; who were in diverse opinions. 
Some would he should have none, some would he should have 
enough, and some would have him to have but a small somme ; 
and some thought it should be much against the king's dignity 
and honnor, and also very much against the counsellors honnor, 
to see him want, that had bin in such estimation with the king, 
and in great authority in this realme ; yea, and it should rather 

north side of his manor-house or palace there ; being 3125 feet in length, and 

1305 feet 8 inches in breadth The length of the hall was 44 paces, 

and the breadth 24 : the great quadrangle 120 paces long, and 100 broad : 
the cloisters a square of 200 paces, and 9 feet in height. Nor was the 
founder's munificence in the endowment of it, unbecoming the magnificence 
of the structure itself." . . . . " Dr. John Colet, Dean of St. Paul's, and 
founder of the school there, built him lodgings within these walls, in which, 
having retired hither on being seized a third time with the sweating sickness, 
he died 16th September, 1519." Manning and Bray's History of Surrey, 
vol. i. pp. 417. 420. Cardinal Wolsey, during his retirement in this monas- 
tery, occupied these lodgings. 

8 Passion Weeke.~\ Passion Sunday was April 3rd, 1530. 

o . 6 



be a slander to the kinge and his whole realme amonge forreine 
potentates, to see him want that had so much, and now so little. 
" Therefore," quoth one of them, "rather than he should lacke 
(although he never did me a pleasure), yet would I lay all my 
plate to gage for him for a thousand poundes, rather than he 
should departe northwarde, so bare and simply, as some would 
have him to doe. Let us doe to him as we would be done unto ; 
considering the lightness of his offense, and the greate inestim- 
able substaunce that he hathe departed withall, only for the 
king's pleasure, rather than he would disobey his grace's will." 
So after longe debate in this matter, it was concluded, that he 
should have by the way of a prest 9 , a thousand markes of his 
pension out of Winchester, the which the king had graunted him 
out thereof, because the king had resumed the same bishopricke 
wholly into his hands ; and yet out of the same he had graunted 
diverse other great pensions to many of the noblemen and other 
of his counsell, so that I doe suppose, all things accompted, the 
least part was his. So, when this determination was concluded, 
they declared the same to the king, who streightway commaunded 
the said thousand markes to be delivered out of hand to master 
Cromewell ; and so it was. The king commaunded Master Orome- 
well to resorte to him againe, when he had received the same 
somme of money. And according to the same commaundement, 

9 By the way of a prest.~] Pret, Somme pretee. Fr. A sum in advance. 
Imprest is a word still used officially. 

"Commend me to all our faithfull brethren, and bid them with a good 
courage look for their redemption, and frame themselves to be hearty soul- 
diours in Christ. They have taken his prest money a great while, and now 
let them show themselves ready to serve him faithfully, and not to fly out of 
the Lord's camp into the world, as many do." — Letter of John Philpot, Fox's 
Acts, p. 1664. 



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when he had received the money, he repaired againe to the king ; 
to whom the king saide, " Shewe my lord, although our counsell 
have assigned no somme of money, for to beare his charge, yet 
ye shall shewe him in my behalfe, that I have sent a thousand 
poundes of my benevolence, and tell him that he shall not lacke, 
and bid him be of good cheare." Master Oromewell most humbly, 
on my lord his behalf, thanked the king for his noble harte and 
great liberallity, towardes my lord, " whose comfortable wordes of 
your grace," quoth he, "shall rejoice him more than three times the 
value of the money." And therewith departed, and came directly 
unto my lord to Richmond ; to whom he delivered the money, 
and shewed him of all the debate and progresse of all the matter 
in counsell, and what money, and whereof it was levied that they 
sent him ; and of the money which the king sent ; adding thereto 
the kings comfortable sayings 10 and message, wherein my lord did 
not a little rejoice, but toke thereof greate pleasure and comforte. 
Then did master Cromewell counsell with him for the furniture 
of his journey into the Northe : wherein they included many 
things to be done, as I shall recite hereafter. 

Then prepared my lord all things with speede for his journey, 
and repaired into the Northe with all celerity, and sent to London 
for livery clothes for his servants, that should ride with him 
thither. Some of his servants he refused, suche as he thought were 
not meete to serve ; and some againe of their own minde desired 



10 The lings comfortable sayings.'] On the 27th of March, 1530, Henry sent 
from Windsor a letter to William, lord Dacre, warden of the North, recom- 
mending to him " the lord Cardenall archebisshop of York " . , » " mynding 
to reside in that his province for the better administracion of the cure to 
hym committed, which now of a long season hath been orbate, and destitute 
of an archebishop there resident." III. Ellis, ii. 172. 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 209 

his honnur to tarry still in the south, being very lothe to forsake 
their native country, their parents, wives, and children, whom he 
right gladly and with good will licensed so to doe, and rendered 
unto them his harty thanks for their longe tarrying with him in 
his trouble. So that, all things being furnished towards his 
journey, he tooke the same in the beginning of the Passion 
Weeke, before Easter ; and so rode from Richmond to a place 
which was the abbots of Westminster, called Hendon 11 ; and the 
next day he removed to a place where my lady Parrey lay, called 
the Rye 12 ; the next day he rode to Royston, where he was lodged 
in the priory there ; then went he the next day to Huntington, 
and there lodged within the abbey ; and the next day he rode to 
Peterborough, and there lodged in the abbey, makinge there his 
abode all the next weke, where he kept the solemne feast of 
Easter, with all his traine, (save a fewe in nomber, which were 
continually attending on him) who were lodged in the towne, 
and had borde wages ; his traine was in number a hundred and 
three score persons, haveing with him twelve cartes to carry his 
stuffe of his owne, which he sent for from his colledge of Oxen- 
forde, that were there provided, besides three score other cartes 
of his daily carriage of necessaries, for his buildings. Upon 



11 Hendon.'] The manor of Hendon was given by Richard le Rous, in 1312, 
to the abbot and convent of Westminster ; at the dissolution of the monaste- 
ries, it was made part of the endowment of the new bishopric of Westmin- 
ster, which was resigned in 1550 by Thomas Thirlby, and the see sup- 
pressed. The manor of Hendon was granted in the same year to a layman, 
Sir William Herbert, afterwards earl of Pembroke. 

12 The Rye.~\ In Stansted Abbot, near Hoddesdon. Sir Andrew Agard or 
Ogard, who built the house, of which some part now remains, had license in 
the time of Henry VI. to impark the site of the manor of the Rye, and to 
erect a castle there. It is noted as the scene of the Rye House plot in 1683. 

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210 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

Palme Sundaye ' he bare his palme, and went in procession, with 
the monkes, setting forth the devine service right honourably, 
with suche singing men, as he then had there of his owne. And 
upon Maunday Thursday he made his Maundy there in our Ladies 
chappelle, having fifty-nine 2 pore men, whose feet he washed, and 
kissed ; and after he had wiped them, he gave every of the saicle 
pore men twelve pence in money, three ells of good canvass to 
make them shirtes, a paire of new shoes, a cast of red herrings, 
and three white herrings, and one of them had two shillings. Upon 
Easter day 3 he rose to the resurrection 4 , and that day he went in 

1 Palme Sundaye."] 10th April, 1530. Maunday Thursday the 14th April. 

2 Fifty -nine. ,] This number denotes that he was now fifty-nine years old. 

3 Easter day. ,] 1 7th April, 1530. 

4 He rose to the resurrection.'] The book of Ceremonies before cited, which 
was compiled in the reign of Henry VIII. observes : " Upon Easter-day in 
the morning the ceremonies of the resurrection be very laudable, to put us in 
remembrance of Christ's resurrection, which is the cause of our justification." 
Strype's Eccles. Memorials, vol. i. p. 294. Records. What these ceremonies 
were we may collect from the Rubrics upon that day, in the Processionale 
secundum usum Sarum, fol. 72, edit. 1555, which are to this effect: On Easter 
day, before mass, and before the ringing of the bells, let the clerks assemble, 
and all the tapers in the church be lighted. Then two persons shall draw 
nigh to the sepulchre, and after it is censed, let them take the cross out of 
the sepulchre, and one of them begin Christus resurgens. Then let the 
procession commence. After this let all worship (adorent) the cross. Then 
let all the crucifixes and images in the church be unveiled, &c. &c. In 
like manner Good Friday also had its peculiar ceremonies. Bishop Longland 
closes his sermon preached on that day before king Henry VIII., a.d. 1538, 
in the following manner : " In meane season I shall exhorte you all in our 
Lord God, as of old custome hath here this day bene used, every one of you or 
ye departe, with moost entire devocyon, knelynge tofore our savyour Lorde 
God, this our Jesus Chryst, whiche hath suffered soo muche for us, to whome 
we are soo muche bounden, whoo lyeth in yonder sepulchre ; in honoure of 
hym, of his passyon and deathe, and of his five woundes, to say five Pater- 
nosters, five Aves, and one Crede : that it may please his mercifull goodness 
to make us parteners of the merites of this his most gloryous passyon, bloode, 

O . 



procession in his cardinalls vesture, haveing his hat on his heade, 
and sang the high masse there he himselfe solemnely. After his 
masse he gave his benediction to all the hearers with cleane 
remision 5 ; and there continued he till Thursday next. 
( My lord continuying there at Peterborough after this manner, 
intending to remove from thence shortly, commaunded me to ride 
to sir William Fitzwilliams 6 knight, who dwelt within three or 
foure miles from Peterborough, to provide him there a lodging, 
for three or foure daies, in his journey north wardes. And being 
with this sir William Fitzwilliams, I did my message accord- 
ingly ; whereof he was, as it appeared by his worde and dede, 
the gladdest man alive, that my lord would so lovingly take his 
house in his way ; saying that he should be most heartily wel- 
come of any man, the king his soveraigne except ; saying further- 
more that my lord should not nede to dislode or discharge any 
parte of his stuffe and carriage for his owne use, during his abode 

and deathe." Imprynted by Thomas Petyt. See also Michael Wood's Dia- 
logue, or Familiar Talks, a.d. 1554. Signat. D. 3. 
5 With cleane remision.'] See above, n. ( 6 ) p. 85. 
I 6 Sir William Fitzwilliams.'] He was sheriff of London in 1 506, alderman 
nof Bread- street ward, high sheriff of Essex in 1514, and of Northampton- 
shire in 1521. His conduct towards Wolsey was noble; "when interrogated 
by his majesty, how he durst entertain so great an enemy to the state ? he 
answered, that he had not contemptuously or wilfully done it, in disobedi- 
ence to his majesty, but only as the cardinal had been his master, and 
(partly) the means of his greatest fortunes : at which answer the king was so 
well pleased, that, saying he had few such servants, he immediately knighted 
him, and made him one of his privy council." Collins, by Brydges, iv. 387. 
He is the lineal ancestor of the Earl Fitzwilliam. He is not to be con- 
founded with another Sir William Fitzwilliam, living at the same time, who 
was not a merchant, but an ambassador, statesman, warrior, lord high admi- 
ral, and privy seal, K.G., and at last earl of Southampton, but died without 
issue in 1543. He subscribed the articles exhibited against Wolsey, 21 
Henry VIII. 

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212 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



there ; but should have all necessary stuffe of his owne to occupy, 
unles it were my lordes bed for his own person. This upon re- 
porte made to my lord at my retourne, rejoiced him not a little : 
and he commaunded me to give warning unto all his officers and 
servauntes to prepare them to remove from Peterborough upon 
Thursday next, which was in Easter weke. Then made every 
man himself, and all things in such readiness, as was convenient, 
paying in the towne for all such things as they had taken ; for 
which cause my lord caused proclamation to be made in the 
towne, that if any person or persons were greved by any of his 
servants, they should resorte to his officers, and there they should 
be answered, and have due remedy ; so that, all things redy 
furnished, my lord toke his journey from the abbey of Peter- 
borough on the Thursday in Easter weeke 7 , to Mr. Fitzwilliams, 
where he was joiously received, and had worthy and honorable 
entertainement at the only costes and charge of the said Mr. 
Fitzwilliams all the time of my lord his being there with him. 
j The occasion that moved Mr. Fitzwilliams thus friendly to doe, 
was this : he was sometime a merchant of London, and sheriffe 
thereof, and bore the charge of the same in the said city : and 
after there fell a great debate and grudge betweene the bench of 
aldermen and the said sir William, for that he would have a new 
corporation of Merchaunt Taylors, contrary to the order of the 
citty, the which caused him to surender up his cloake, and gave 
over his freedom of the citty ; against whose malice my lord bare 
him much, and after received him into his service, whome he 
made his treasurer, and after that his high chamberleine, and in 
conclusion, for his wisdom, gravity, eloquence, and porte, being a 

7 Thursday in Easter weeJce.~\ 21 April, 1530. 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 213 

comely gentleman, my lord made him one of the king's counsell, 
who so continued during all his life after. And for the speciall 
goodness he alwaies found in my lord in his trouble with the 
citty, like a faithful servant he was redy then most joyfully to 
requite him with the semblable, and graunted to shew him any 
pleasure that lay in him to doe. 

Thus my lord continued there from Thursday in Easter weke, 
at Mr. Fitz williams costes, untill the Monday next 8 following ; at 
which time he removed from thence unto Stamforde ; where he 
lay all night, at the signe of the bull. And the next day he 
removed from thence to Grantham, and was lodged in a gentle- 
mans place whose name was Mr. Hall. And the next day he 
rode to Newark, and lodged in the castle all that night, and the 
next day also ; which is within four miles of Southwell, whither 
my lord intended to ride, and there to continue, as here after ye 
shall heare. 

I cannot chose but to declare unto you a notable communica- 
tion had at Mr. Fitzwilliams house, between my lorde and me, 
which was this : My lord walking in the garden at Mr. Fitz- 
williams his house, saying his evensong with his chapleine, and I 
being there attending upon him, after he had finished his praiers, 
he commaunded his chapleine that bare up his gowne traine to 
deliver the same to me, and to goe aside ; and after the chapleine 
was gone, he spake to me in this wise, calling me by my name, 
"Ye have bine lately at London, 1 ' quoth he ; " Forsoothe my 
lord," quoth I, " not since I was there to buy your liveries for 
your servants."" " And what newes was there then," quoth he ; 
" heard you no communication of me ? I pray you tell me." Then 

8 Monday next.'] 25th April, 1530. 

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214 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

perceiving that I had a good occasion to speake my mind unto 
him, I said, " Sir, if it please your grace, it was my chaunce to 
be at dinner in a certaine place, where I also supped, and many 
honest worshipful gentlemen, who were for the most parte of 
mine old acquaintance, and therefore durst the bolder participate 
with me in conversation of your grace, knowing that I was still 
your servant ; and they asking of me howe ye did, and how you 
accepted your adversity and trouble ; I answered that you did 
well, and accepted all things in good parte ; and as it seemed 
to me, they were your indifferent friends, of whome they said 
none evill, but lamented your decay and fall very sore, doubting 
much the sequell not to be good for the common wealth. Also 
they mervailed much that you, being of such excellent witt, and 
of such high discretion, would so simply confesse yourselfe guilty 
unto the king, as you did. For, as they understode by reporte 
of some of the kings counsell, your case being well considered, 
you have great wronge : to the which I could make no direct 
answer." "Is this," quoth he, "the opinion of wise men?" 
" Yea forsothe, my lord," quoth I, " and commonly of all men 
else." " Well then," quoth he, " for all their wisdome, they 
perceived not so much as I. For I considered, that mine enemies 
had brought the matter so to passe against me, that they con- 
veied and made it the kings matter and case, and caused the king 
to take the matter into his owne hands ; and after he had once 
the possession of all my goods, being the kings only case, rather 
than he would have delivered me my goods againe, and taken a 
foile or overthrow therein at my hands, without doubte he would 
not have missed (by the setting forthe and procurement of my 
evil-willers) to have imagined my undoing and destruction therein; 
whereof the best had bine perpetual imprisonment, or the daunger 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



215 



of my life. I had rather confesse the matter, as I did, and to 
live at large, like a poor vicar, than to live in prison with all the 
goods and honors I then had. And therefore it was for me the 
better way to yeild me unto the kings mercy and clemency, than 
to stand stiffe against him in triall of the wronge, which I sus- 
tained ; wherein the king would have bine bothe to have bine 
noted, and in my submission, the king, I doubt not, had a con- 
science, wherein he would rather pitty me than maligne me. And 
also there was the nighte-crowe, that cried ever 9 in his ears against 
me ; and if she might have perceived any obstinacy in me ; she 
would not have failed to have set it forthe with such vehemence, 
that I should rather have obtained the kings indignation, than his 
lawful favor : and his favor once lost (which I then knewe that 
I then had done) would never have bin by me recovered. There- 
fore I thought it better to kepe still his favor, with losse of goods 
and dignity, than to win his indignation with all my wit, truthe, 
and policy. And this was the cause (which all men know not) 
that I yealded myselfe so soone guilty to the premunire ; wherein 
the king hath since conceived a conscience ; for he knoweth, and 
allwaies did, more the effect thereof than any other person living, 
and whether I offended him therein or no, to whose conscience I 
commit the truthe of my cause." And thus we lefte the substance 
of our communication in this matter ; although we had much 
more talke : yet this is sufficient to make you understande, as well 
bothe the cause of his confession in the premunire, as also the 
occasion of the losse of his goods. 

Now let us retourne where we lefte my lorde, being now at the 
castle of Newarke, intending to ride to Southwell, which was but 

9 Nighte-crowe, that cried ever."] Evidently meaning Anne Bullen. See 
note at p. 192. 



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216 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

four miles from thence, as I shewed you before. He toke his 
journey thither against supper, where for lacke of reparation 10 of 
the bishoppe's place, which belonges to the see of Yorke, he was 
compelled to lie in a prebendaries house, over against the 
bishoppes place, and there kept house untill Whitsontyde ", 
against which time he removed into the place, being then newly 
repaired, and there continued all the most parte of that sommer, 
not without great resorte of the most worshipful of the country. 
And diverse noblemen, having occasion to repaire into the same 
country there, thought it good to visit my lord, as they travailed 
through the country, of whom they were most gladly entertained, 
and had right good chere, whose noble and gentle behaviour 
caused him to have much love in the country of all kinde of 
people. ;He kept there a noble house, where was bothe plenty of 
meate and drinke for all comers, and also muche almes given at 
the gate to the poore of the towne and country. | He used much 
charity and clemency among his tenants, and other of the kings 
subjects. Although the hearinge thereof were not pleasaunt in 
the eares of suche as bare him no good will, yet the country and 
common people will say as they find cause ; for now he was very 
much familiar among all persons, who then accustomably kept 
him company, and glad at any time when he might doe them any 
goode. He made many agreements and Concordes betweene 
gentleman and gentleman, and betweene some gentlemen and 

10 For lacke of reparation.'] "Wolsey, in consequence, had applied to Dr. 
Thomas Magnus, warden of the collegiate church of Sibthorpe (between Bing- 
ham and Newark), for leave to use the warden's house at Sibthorpe on this 
journey, and so to avoid Southwell. Dr. Magnus wrote to the cardinal from 
Windsor, on the 18th April, excusing himself from lending the house. III. 
Ellis, h. 174. Magnus had been much employed by Wolsey. 

11 Whitsontyde. ~] June 5, 1530. 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 217 

their wives, and other meane persons, the which had bin long 
before a sunder in great trouble ; making for every of them, as 
occasion did serve, great assemblies and feastes, not sparing his 
purse, where he might make a peace and amity ; which gat him 
much love 12 and friendshippe in the contry. 

It chaunced so that upon Corpus Ohristi even l my lord gave me 
a warning, after supper, to prepare all things in a readiness ; for 
he intended to sing high masse the next day following ; which I 
did not forget, although it were late ; and I gave like warning to 
the head officers and other of my fellowes, to see in their romes 
all things furnished accordingly. I was not after that scantly 
laid in my bed, nor fully asleepe, but one of the porters came to 
my chamber dore, calling for me, and sayd, that there were two 

12 Him much love.'] The favourable representation given of this portion of 
the cardinal's life, notwithstanding what is said by Fox, p. 908, is fully con- 
firmed by an authority which cannot be suspected of partiality to his memory, 
that of a State Book, which came out from the office of the king's printer in 
the year 1536, entitled A Remedy for Sedition. " Who was lesse beloved m\ 
the northe than my lord cardynall, God have his sowle, before he was amonges 
them ? Who better beloved, after he had ben there a whyle ? We hate oft 
times whom we have good cause to love. It is a wonder to see howe they 
were turned; howe of utter enemyes they becam his dere frendes. He gave 
byshops a ryght good ensample, howe they might wyn mens hartys. There 
was few holy dayes, but he would ride five or six myle from his howse, no we 
to this parysh churche, nowe to that, and there cause one or other of his 
doctours to make a sermone unto the people. He sat amonges them, and 
sayde masse before all the paryshe. He sawe why churches were made. He 
began to restore them to their ryght and propre use. He broughte his dinner 
with hym, and bad dyvers of the parysh to it. He enquired, whether there 
was any debate or grudge between any of them ; yf there were, after dinner 
he sente for the parties to the churche, and made them all one. Men say 
well that do well. Goddes lawes shal never be so set by as they ought, 
before they be well knowen." Signat. E. 2. 

1 Corpus Christi even.'] In 1530 Corpus Christi fell on the 16th June; the 
eve was the 15th. 

Ff 

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218 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



gentlemen at the gate, that would speake with my lord from 
the king. I rose up incontinent, and went with the porter to the 
gate. I demaunded who was there without. They made answer 
and sayde, that there was Mr. Brereton 2 , one of the gentlemen of 
the kings privy chamber, and Mr. Wretherly 3 , who were come 
from the kinge in post, to speake with my lorde. Then having 
understanding what they were, I caused the porter to let them 
in. And after their entry they desired me without delay to 
speake with my lord ; whose request I endeavoured myselfe to 
obey, and went to my lord his chamber, who was in his bed 
a-sleepe. But when he heard me speake, he demaunded of me 
what I would have. "Sir," said I, "there is beneathe in the 
porter's lodge, Mr. Brereton of the kings privy chamber, and Mr. 
Wretherly, come from the kinge to speake with you : they will 
not tarry in any wise, but speake with you, and so departe." 
" Well then," quoth my lord, "bid them come up into the next 
chamber, and I will prepare myselfe to come to them." Then 
departed I from my lord, and went downe, and shewed them 
that my lord desired them to take the paines to come up into his 
dining chamber ; to whome my lord shortly came. They seeing 
him in night apparel, did to him due reverence ; whome he toke 
by the hands, demaunding of them, how the king his sovereigne lord 
did. " Sir," saide they, " right well and merry, thanks be to God. 
Sir," sayd they, " we must desire you to talke with you aparte." 
" With a right good will," quoth my lord. Then talked they 



2 BreretonJ] William Brereton, who was afterwards executed as a parti- 
cipator in queen Anne's supposed guilt. 

3 Wretherly.'] Meaning Thomas Wrethesly, or Wriothesly, afterwards 
lord chancellor and earl of Southampton, who at this time was one of 
the clerks of the signet, and king's attorney in the Court of Common Pleas. 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 219 

with him in secrette in a great windowe ; and after longe talke 
they toke forthe of a little male a close thing, in manner of a 
little coffer, covered with greene velvet, and bound with barres 
of silver and gilt, with a locke on the same, having a gilt key, 
with the which they opened the chest ; out of the which they 
toke an instrument or writing 4 , containing more than a skin of 
great parchment, having many seales hanging to the same, where- 
unto they put more waxe for my lord his seale ; the which my 
lord sealed, and subscribed his name with his own hande, and 
delivered the same againe unto them, desiring them (for as much 
as they made haste to departe) to tarry, and take a bed, for it 
was very late, about midnight or something past. They thanked 
him, and saide they might in no wise tarry, but saide they would 
streightway ride to the Earl of Shrewsbury, and do as much as 
they could to be there before he should be stirring. And my 
lord, seeing their speedy haste, caused them to eate such cold 
meate as there was ready in the house, and to drinke a boll or 
two of wine. And that done, he gave each of them foure old 
sovereignes of fine gold, desyring them to take it in gree 5 , saying, 
that if he had bin of greater hability, he would have given them 
a better rewarde ; and so taking their leave they departed. And 
after they were departed, as I heard say, they were not con- 
tented with their rewarde. Indede they were none of his indif- 

4 Instrument or writing^ Not improbably the indenture between the king 
and the cardinal, that the latter should give up the bishoprick of Winchester 
and the abbey of St. Alban's, in lieu of an annual allowance of 1000 marks. 
It is printed in Rymer's Fcedera, Holmes's edit. vol. vi. pt. ii. p. 147. 
6 In gree.'] Fr. gre, good will. 

" We ought 

Receiven all in gree that God us sent." 

Chaucer's Clerk's Tale. 

pf 2 

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220 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



ferent friends, which caused them to accept the same so dis- 
dainfully. Howbeit, if they had knowne what little store of 
money he had at that time, being but his indifferent friends, 
they would have given him great thanks : but nothing is more 
lost or cast away, than such things as be given to such persons. 
My lord went againe to bed ; and yet neverthelesse, for all his 
disquietness and smalle rest that he had that night, he rose in 
the morning betimes, and sang High Masse as he was appointed 
the night before. There was fewe or none of all the house, 
besides myself and the porter, that knewe of the going or com- 
ming of Mr. Brereton and Mr. Wretherly; and yet there lay 
in the house many strangers and worshipfull gentlemen of the 
shire. 

After this sorte and manner my lord lay at Southwell 6 , untill 
about the latter end of grasse time ; at which time he intended 
to remove to Scroby, which is an other house and lordeship 
of the bishopricke of Yorke. And against the day of his 
removing, he caused his officers to prepare all things in a readi- 
ness, as well provision to be made for him there, as also for his 
carriage thither, and other matters concerning the same. His 
removing and intente was not so secrete, but that it was abrode 
knowne in the country ; which was not so muche sorrowe to all 
his neighbours there, about Southwell, but it was as joyfull to all 
the contry about Scroby 7 . 

Against the day of his removing all the knightes and other 
worshipfull gentlemen of the shire of that contry 8 came unto 

6 Lay at Southwell.'] In August, whilst at Southwell, Wolsey wrote to Sir 
A. Wyngfeld, Sir William Shelley, and twice to Cromwell, on behalf of his 
colleges. See State Papers, i. 360 — 370. 

7 Scroby.'] Near Bawtry. 

8 Worshipfull gentlemen of the shire of that contry.] Wolsey was in his own 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 221 



him to Southwell upon Sonday to dinner, and lay with him all 
that night, to accompany and attend upon him in that journey 
the next day, and so to conduct him through the forrest country 
unto Scroby. But he being of their purpose advertised, and how 
they intended to lodge a great stagge or twaine by the way, 
where he should needes ride, purposing to shewe him all the 
disporte and pleasure that they could devise for him, was very 
lothe to use any such honnor and disporte, not knowing how the 
king would take it; being also well assured how his enemies 
would much rejoice, to understande, that he would take upon 
him any such presumption, whereby they might finde an occasion 
to persuade with the kinge how sumptuous he was notwith- 
standing his adversity and displeasure, and so to bring the king 
in a perfect ill opinion of him, and thereby brede small hope of 
reconciliation, but rather to informe the king, that he sought a 
meane to obtain the favor of the contry than of him ; with 
diverse such imaginations, wherein he might rather obtaine dis- 
pleasure than honnor. And also he was lothe to make the wor- 
shipfull gentlemen privy of this his imagination, least they should 
conceive any toy in their heades by meanes thereof, and so to 
leave their accustomed accesse unto him, which was much to his 
comforte. Therefore he devised an other way, which might be 

territory. The civil government of the soke or liberty of Southwell cum 
Scrooby, comprehending twenty townships, is separated from that of the rest 
of the county of Nottingham. The justices of the peace are appointed by the 
archbishop of York, but are under a commission from the crown ; they hold 
quarter sessions at Southwell and Scrooby. The chapter of Southwell, by 
their vicar, exercise all episcopal functions, except confirmation and ordination, 
over the peculiar of Southwell, which comprehends twenty-eight parishes. 
The soke and the peculiar are not, however, co-extensive. Late acts of par- 
liament have somewhat interfered with these privileges. By the " worshipfull 
gentlemen," we may understand the justices whom Wolsey had appointed. 

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222 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

taken rather for a laughing disporte, than otherwise. And thus 
it was : he first called me unto him secretly at night, going to 
rest, and commaunded me that I should in most secrette wise 
that might be, cause six or seven horses, besides his mule, to be 
in a readiness for him by break of the day, and such persons as 
he appointed to ride with him to Newsted 9 , an abbey in the which 
he intended to lodge by the way to Scroby, willing me to be also 
in a readiness to ride with him, and to call him so early that he 
might hear masse or ever he went forwarde, and be on horse- 
back by the breake of day. — What will ye have more? All 
things being accomplished and finished according to his pleasure, 
he with those small number of persons appointed, mounted on 
his mule, and set forwarde by the breaking of the day towards 
Newstede, which was about sixteen miles from thence ; whither 
my lord and we came before six of the clocke in the morning, 
and so went incontinent unto his bed, leaving all the gentlemen 
and his household at Southwell in their beddes, not knowing of 
my lord his sodain departure, whoe expected his uprising untill 
eight of the clocke. But after it was knowne unto them and to 
all the rest, there was no more to doe, but every man to his 
horse-backe, and so galloped after, supposing to overtake him. 
But he was at his lodging at rest, ere they set fort-he out of 
Southwell, and so was their cheife hunting 10 laid aparte, and the 

9 To Newsted.'] By which means "Wolsey's purpose was effectually an- 
swered, for Newstead is directly west of Southwell, whilst Rufford, which 
was on his nearest road from Southwell, through Shirewood (or Sherwood) 
Forest and Worksop, to Blithe, is directly north-west of Southwell. The 
difference between the two routes would be about 30 miles. Newstead came 
afterwards into the possession of the Byron family, and was sold by the late 
lord to Col. Wildman. 

10 Cheife hunting.'] So the MSS. except Harl. 428, which has great hunting. 
But perhaps the true reading is Cerf hunting, i. e. stag-hunting. 

, o 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 223 



great stagges uncoursed. But at their thither repaire, sitting at 
dinner, the matter was laughed at, and so merrily jested out, that 
all was well taken. 

Then my lord intending the next day to remove from thence, 
there resorted to him the earle of Shrewesburys keepers and 
gentlemen sent from him, to desire my lord, in their maisters 
behalfe, to hunt in a parke of their maisters called Worsoppe 
Parke, 11 which was even at hand, and the nearest and best way for 
my lord to travaile through in his journey, where was much 
plenty of game, that was laide for him in a readiness to hunt. 
Howbeit he thanked bothe my lord their maister for his gentle- 
ness, and them for their paines : and then saide, he was a man 
not meete to receive any such pleasure : for such pastime was 
mete for men of honnor, that delighted themselves therein, for 
whome he saide it was more convenient than for him. Never- 
thelesse he could doe no lesse than thinke my lorde of Shrews- 
bury to be much his friend, in whom he found such gentleness 
and noble offer : and rendered also to him his most lowly thanks, 
from the very bottom of his harte. But. in no wise could they 
intreat him to hunt. Although the worshipfull men in his com- 
pany did much provoke him thereto, yet he would not consent, 



11 Worsoppe Parke.'] The manor of Worksop is one of those held of the 
crown by the honorary service of grand serjeanty. The duty consists in find- 
ing the king a right hand glove at his coronation, and supporting the king's 
right arm whilst he holds the sceptre. Alethea Talbot, daughter and heiress 
to Gilbert Talbot, seventh Earl of Shrewsbury, married in the early part of 
James I.'s reign, Thomas Howard, Earl of Arundel, and so brought to the 
Norfolk family the honour and manor of Worksop. It was sold a few years 
since to the late Duke of Newcastle, whose son, the present Duke, is now 
the owner. Cavendish's own niece, Mary, became Countess of Shrewsbury, 
and of course mistress of Worksop, not many years after he wrote this life. 



© © 

224 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



desiring them to be contented ; saying that he came not into the 
contry, to frequent or followe any such pleasures, or pastimes, 
but rather to attend to a greater care that he had in hand, which 
was both his study and pleasure. And with such reasons and 
persuasions he pacified them for the time. Howbeit as he rode 
through the parke, both my lorde of Shrewesbury servants, and 
also the aforesaid gentlemen moved him once againe, before 
whome the deare lay very faire for all purposes of pleasure. But 
it would not availe ; and therefore he made as much spede 
through the parke as he could. And at the issue out he called 
the gentlemen, and my lord of Shrewesbury's keepers unto him, 
desiring them to commend him to my lord their master, thanking 
him for his most honorable offer, trusting shortly to visite him at 
his owne house : and gave the kepers forty shillings for their 
rewarde in conducting him through the parke. And so rode to 
dinner to an other abbey called Rufford abbey 13 ; and after dinner 
he rode to an other abbey called Blithe, where he lay all nighte. 
And the next day he came to Scroby \ where he continued till 
after Michaelmas, exercising many dedes of charity. And most 
commonly every Sonday (if the weather did serve) he would tra- 

12 Rufford abbey, .] Now belonging to the Earl of Scarborough, to whom it 
has descended from the Saviles. After the suppression the abbey was granted 
by Henry to George, Earl of Shrewsbury, whose grand-daughter, Mary 
Talbot, conveyed it by marriage to Sir George Savile. 

1 To Scroby.'] From Scrooby, Edmond Bonner (afterwards bishop of Lon- 
don, but at this time holding in Wolsey's household the office of master of 
faculties and spiritual jurisdictions,) wrote to Cromwell, to borrow the Trionfi 
of Petrarca, and the Cortegiano of Baldesar Castiglione (which had been 
printed by Aldus in 1528). Cromwell, who had been long in Italy, had pro- 
mised to make " a good Italian " of Bonner. The letter was sent by a servant 
of " Mr. Augustine," that is Agostino degli Agostini, the physician who, 
together with Bonner, accompanied Wolsey to the north. III. Ellis, ii. 1/8. 
I 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 225 



vaile unto some pore parish churche there aboute, and there 
would say his divine service, and either saie or heare masse, and 
caused one of his chapleines to preach the word of God unto the 
people. And that done, he would dine in some honest house in : 
the towne, where should be distributed to the people a great 
almes of meate and drinke ; or of money to supply the want of 
meate, if the nomber of the pore did so excede in necessity. 
And thus with other good dedes practising and exercising him- 
selfe during his abode there, as making of love daies and agree- 
ments betweene party and party, being at variance, he daily 
frequented himself there abouts. 

Then about the feast of St. Michaell 2 next after, he tooke his 
journey to Cawood Castle, within seven miles of York; and 
passing thither he lay two nights and a day at St. Oswalde's 
abbey, where he in proper person the next day confirmed chil- 
dren in the churche, from the houre of eight untill twelve of the 
clocke at noon. And, making a short dinner, resorted thither 
againe soon after one of the clocke, and for weariness, at the 
last was constrained to call for a chaire ; and there confirmed 
moe children from the saide hour unto six of the clocke towards 
night, or ever he could finishe and make an ende, the number of 
the children was suche. That done he went to his supper and 
rested him there all that night. And the next morning he ap- 
plied himselfe to departe towards Cawood ; and or ever he went, 
he confirmed almost an hundred children more ; and then rode 
his way from thence. And in his journey at a plaine greene a 
little beyonde Ferrybridge, within a quarter of a mile, there were 
assembled, at a great crosse made of stone, a nomber of more 



! 

o 



Of St. Michaell'] 29th Sept. 1530. 

Gg 



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226 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



children, accompted by estimation to be about the number of 
five hundred ; where he was faine to alighte, and from thence 
never removed untill he had fully confirmed them every one; 
and then toke his mule and rode to Oawood : where he laye long 
after with much honnor and love of the country, bothe of the 
worshipfull and of the simple, doing of good deds of charity, and 
held there an honnorable and plentiful household for all coiners ; 
and also built and repaired the castle, which was greatly in decay, 
having a great multitude of artificers and labourers, about the 
number of three hundred persons, dayly in wages. 

Lying there at Cawood he had intelligence by the gentlemen 
of the contry, that repaired unto him, that there was sprung a 
great variance and deadly hate betweene sir Richard Tempest 3 , 
knight, and one Mr. Brian Hastings, then being but an esquire, 
betweene whome was like to ensue great murder, unless some 
meane mighte be founde to redress the inconvenience that was 
like to ensue. \My lord being thereof advertised, lamenting the 
case, made such meanes by his wise letters and other persuasions, 
that these two gentlemen were contente to resorte unto my lord 
at Oawood, and there to abide his order, highe and lower) A day 
was appointed of their thither resorte ; at which day they came 
bothe to Cawood, not without great number on either parte 
assembled. Wherefore against that day, my lord had required 
many worshipful gentlemen to be there present, to assiste him 

3 Sir Richard Tempest.'] Sir Richard Tempest of Bracewell, knt., who was 
high sheriff for Yorkshire, 8 Henry VIII. He married Rosamond, daughter 
and heiress of Tristram Bowling, of Bowling Hall, in the same county. He 
had been one of the courtiers in the early part of Henry's reign; and he was 
one of those who took part in the splendid tournament which Henry gave 
on the 12th and 13th Feb., 1511. See II. Ellis, i. 183. His descendants 
afterwards became possessed of Tong, and were created baronets. 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 227 

with their endevour to accorde these two gentlemen, being thus 
at deadly feude. First my lorde commaunded no more to enter 
the castle with these gentlemen but six of their menyall servants, 
and all the rest to remaine without in the towne, or where they 
listed to repaire. And himselfe issuing forthe at the gates, 
calling the nomber of bothe parties togeither before him, he 
streightly charged them in the king^s name firmely to keep the 
peace, upon their perilles, without either bragging or quarrelling 
either with other ; and caused them to have bothe bere and wine 
sent them into the towne. And then he returned into the castle, 
being about nine of the clocke in the morning. And because he 
intended to have bothe these gentlemen to dine with him at his 
owne table, he thought it good to appease the rumour before 
dinner. \ Whereupon he called them into his chappell ; and, with 
the assistance of the other worshipful gentlemen, he began to 
fall to communication in the matter, declaring to them the dan- 
gers that were like to ensue by their willfull and stoute sto- 
maches ; with many other good and wholesome exhortations. 
Notwithstanding, the parties laying and alleadging many things 
for their defense, sometime added stoute and despiteful! words of 
defiance eche to other, which my lord and the other there assem- 
bled had much adoe to qualify, their malice was so great.— kWhat 
will ye have more ? With long continuance and depe arguments 
made unto them by my lorde, at last being there untill foure of 
the clock in the afternone, my lord brought them to a final Con- 
corde and peace, concluding a certaine determinate ende betweene 
them, the which I doe not now remember ; and so made them 
friends. And as it seemed, they were bothe contented therewith, 
and very joyous of the same. And then my lord caused them, 
after they had shaken hands together, to goe arme in arme to 

Gg 2 

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228 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



dinner; the sight whereof pleased much the beholders : and so 
went to dinner, although it were too late to dine 4 , yet notwith- 
standing they dined with the other gentlemen at my lord his 
table, where was drinking unto eche other, in great amity as the 
manner is, and making great semblance of amity and love. 
After dinner my lord caused eche of them to discharge their 
route and assembly that remained without, out of the towne, and 
to retaine with them no more than they were accustomed to ride 
withall. And that done, these gentlemen, fulfilling his com- 
maundement, taryed with all the rest at Cawood, and lay there 
all that nighte ; whome my lorde entertained in suche sorte, that 
they toke his gentleness in great nobleness and friendship, 
trusting to have of him a speciall jewel! in their country : and 
so it proved after by their demeanour towardes him, as it shall 
appeare by their giftes, which they prepared for him against his 
stallation. 

It is not to be doubted but that the worshipful persons, as 
doctors, and prebendaries of the close of Yorke, would resort e 
unto my lord according to their duties, as unto the chiefe heade, 

4 Too late to dine.'] "With us" (says Harrison, in the description of 
Englande, prefixed to Holingshed's Chronicle, p. 171) "the nobilitie, gen- 
trie, and students do ordinarilie go to dinner at eleven before noone, and to 
supper at five, or betweene five and six at afternoone. The merchants dine 
and sup seldome before twelve at noone, and six at night, especiallie in Lon- 
don. The husbandmen dine also at high noone, as they call it, and sup at 
seven or eight : but out of the tearme in our universities the scholars dine at 
ten. As for the poorest sort, they generally dine and sup when they may ; 
so that to talke of their order of repast, it were but a needlesse matter." 

" Theophilus. You wente to dinner betyme I perceave. Eusebius. Even 
as I doe commonly, when I have no busynes, betwene nyne and ten ; me 
thinkes it is a good houre : for by that meanes I save a breakfast, whyche for 
such idlers as I am, is most fittest." — Dialogue between Eusebius and Theo- 
philus. Signat. B. 4. a.d. 1556. 

6- • 6 



father and patron of their spirituall dignity, at his first comming 
into the country so nighe their churche, which was but bare six 
miles. Wherefore ye shall understande that Doctor Hickden, 
then doctor of the churche 6 of Yorke, a worshipfull man and a 
divine, with the treasurer, and diverse other officers of the same 
college, repaired to my lord, and most joyfully welcomed him into 
those partes ; saying that it was to them no small comforte to 
see their heade among them, who hath bine so long absent from 
them, being all the while like fatherless and comfortlesse children; 
but they trusted shortly to see him among them in his owne 
churche. To whome he aunswered, that it was the speciall cause 
of his comming, not only to be among them for a time, but also 
to continue his life among them, as a father and as a natural 
brother. "(Sir then," quoth they, "ye must understande the 
ordinaunces and rules of our churche, whereof although ye be 
heade and governour, yet ye be not therewith so well acquainted 
as we be. Therefore, if it please your grace, we shall, under 
supportation of the same, open unto you some parte of our aun- 
cient lawes and customes of our churche. Sir, where ye doe 
intend to repaire unto us, the old lawe and custome hath ever- 
more bin suche, that our head prelate and pastor, as ye now be, 
could, ne ever mighte, come above our quier dore, nor have any 
stall in the quire, untill he by due order were there stalled. Nor, 
if you should happen to die before your stallation, ye shall not 
be buried above in the quier, but in the nether parte of the body 
of the churche. Therefore we shall heartely desire, in the name 

6 Doctor of the churche.~\ So the MSS., excepting that the York copy, over 
the word doctor, in another hand, has dean, which, perhaps, is the true read- 
ing. Dr. Brian Higden was Dean of York from 1516 to 1539. Dr. John 
Higdon (or as Wood calls him, Hygden,) was Dean of the Cardinal's College 
at Oxford, and died in 1532. 



Q- 



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230 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



of all our brethren, that ye would vouchsafe to doe, herein, as our 
honorable fathers your predecessors have done ; and that ye will 
breake no laudable custome of our churche, to the which we be 
obliged by othe at our first admittaunce, to observe that, and 
diverse others, which in our chapiter remaine in recorde." " Those 
recordes," quoth my lord, " would I faine see ; and this sene 
and digested, I shall then shewe you further of my minde." And 
thus in this matter they ceased communication, and passed the 
time with other matters ; so that a day was assigned to bringe in 
their records to my lord. At which day they resorted unto him 
with their register and booke of records, wherein were written 
their constitutions and rules, which all the ministers of their 
churche were chearely bounde to observe on their behalfe, and to 
see them kept inviolable. And when my lorde had seene and 
reade those recordes, and debated the same substauntially with 
them that brought these bookes, he determined to be stalled there 
at Yorke Minster, the next Monday after Allhallowne clay 7 . 
Against which time due preparation was made for the same, but 
not in so sumptuous a wise, as were his predecessors before him ; 
ne yet in such sorte as the fame and common reporte was after- 
wardes made of him, to his great slaunder, and to the reporters 
no small dishonesty, to reporte such lies as I am persuaded they 
did, to the which I was made privy. I was sent by my lorde to 
Yorke to foresee things there, that should be ordered and pro- 
vided for the solempnyty, which should have bin as meane as 
could be, considering the former decent honors of the worthy 
Minister of Yorke. 

7 Monday after Allhallowne day.'] In 1530 Allhallows day (Nov. 1) fell on 
Tuesday. It was Yfolsey's intention, therefore, to be installed on Monday 
the 7th. 

Q Q 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



231 



(It came so to passe, that upon Allhallowne day, one of the 
head officers of the church, which should have the most doing in 
all this stallation, was with my lorde at dinner, at his house at 
Cawood ; and sitting at dinner they fell in communication of this 
matter, and of the order thereof, saying that my lorde should goe 
on foote from a chappell (which standeth without the gates of the 
city called St. James's chappell,) unto the Minster upon clothe, 
the which should be distributed to the pore after his passage. 
My Lord hearing this made aunswer to the same in this wise. 
"Although that our predicessors did goe upon clothe, soe we 
intend to goe on foote from thence without any such glory 8 , in 
the vaumpes of our hosen. For I take God to my judge, I doe 
not intend to goe thither for any triumphe or glorye, but only to 
perform the rules of the churche, to the which I am bounde. 
And therefore I will desire you all, and will commaund other of 
my servants, to goe as humbly thither, without any sumptuous or 
gorgious apparell, otherwise then in decent manner. For I doe 
purpose to come unto Yorke upon Sonday next against nighte, 
and to lodge in the deanes house, and upon Monday to be stalled ; 
and there to make but one dinner for you all of the close, and for 
other worshipful gentlemen that shall chance to come thither to 
the same ; and to sup with some of the Residences ; and the next 



8 Without any such glory.! The cardinal, perhaps, remembered the credit 
which was gained by his successful rival, cardinal Adrian, who being elected 
to the papacy by the conclave, through the influence of the emperor Charles V., 
" before his entry into the citie of Rome " (as we are told by one of Sir 
Thomas More's biographers), " putting off his hose and shoes, (and as I have 
credibly heard it reported) bare-footed and bare-legged, passed through the 
streets towards his palace, with such humbleness, that all the people had him 
in great reverence." — Harpsfield's Life of Sir Thomas More. Lambeth MSS. 
No. 827. fol. 12. 



O 



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day to dine with the mayor, and then to repaire home hither 
againe ; and so to finish the same, whereby I may at all times 
resorte to Yorke." 

I The day being once knowne unto all the country, which could 
not be hid, the worshipful gentlemen and other, as abbots and 
priors, having notice of the day of my lord his stallation, sent in 
such provision of victuall, that it is almost incredible ; wherefore 
I omit to declare unto you the certainety thereof. But there 
wanted no store of great and fat beastes and muttons, wildfowle, 
and venison, bothe red and fallowe, and other dainty things such 
as would have plentifully furnished his feaste, all which things 
were unknowne to my lorde : forasmuche as he being prevented 
and disappointed of his purpose, by the reason that he was 
arrested of highe-treason, as ye shall hereafter hear; so that 
most parte of this sommer provision, that I spake of before, was 
sent unto Yorke the same day of his arrest, and the next day 
following ; for his arrest was kept as close and secrete from the 
country as might be, because they doubted the common people, 
which had him in great estimation and love, for his great charity 
and liberality, which he used dayly among them, with familiar 
gesture and behaviour, which be the very meanes to attaine the 
love of the people of the northe partes. 

{Sir, or ever I wade any further in this matter, I doe intend to 
declare unto you what chaunced before his last trouble at Ca- 
wood, as a signe or token given by God what should followe ; 
which, at the doing of the very thing, no suche sequell was of any 
man premeditate or imagined. Therefore, for as much as it is 
a notable thing to be considered, I will (God willing) declare it as 
truely as my memory can recorde ; the which thing I sawe my- 
selfe being then present. 

O 6 



{ My lord's enemies being then in the courte about the king in 
good estimation and honnorable dignity, having now my lord in 
more feare and doubte, than they had before his fall, considering 
the perfect zeale and secrett favor that the king bare allwaies 
towards him, thought at lengthe, the king might call him home 
againe ; and then if he so did, they supposed, that he would 
rather imagine vengaunce, than to remit and forget their cruelty, 
which they wrought against him. Wherefore they compassed in 
their heades, either by some meanes to dispatch him by accusa- 
tion of sinister treason, or to bringe him in the king's highe 
indignation by some other meanes. This was dayly their study, 
and consultation, having for their espialls as many vigilant eyes 
attendant upon him, as the poet feigned Argus to have ; soe that 
he could neither worke or doe any thing, but that his enemies 
had knowledge thereof shortely after. Nowe at the last, they 
espied a time wherein they caught an occasion to bring their 
purpose to passe, thinking thereby to have of him a great advan- 
tage ; for the matter being once disclosed unto the king, in such 
vehemency as they purposed, they thought the king would be 
against him. And that done, and by them executed, the king, 
upon other complaints moved with great displeasure, thoughte it 
good that he should come up, and stand to his trial ; which they 
liked nothing at all ; notwithstanding, hereupon he was sent for 
after this sorte. First, they devised that Sir Walter Walche, 
knighte, one of the king's privy chamber, should be sent downe 
with a commission into the northe, unto the earle of Northum- 
berland 9 (who was sometime brought up in house with my lord 

9 The earle of Northumberland.'] In the notes to the Northumberland 
Household Book, pp. 428 — 431, Bp. Percy has produced, from the letters of 
this nobleman, some curious particulars illustrative of the harsh and unworthy 

Hh 

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234 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



cardinall), and they twaine being jointly in commision, to arrest 
my lord of high treason. This conclusion fully resolved, they 
caused Mr. Walche to prepare him to his journey with his com- 
mision, and certaine instructions annexed to the same ; who made 
him ready to ride, and toke his horse at the courte gate about 
noone of All-hallowne day, towards my lord of Northumberland. 
No we I am come to the place where I will declare that which I 
promised in the latter ende of the last chapiter, of a certaine 
signe or token of this my lord his trouble ; which thing was 
this. 

My lord sitting at dinner upon All-hallowne day, having at 
his borde end 10 diverse of his worshipful chapleines, sitting at 
dinner to keep him company, for lacke of strangers, ye shall 
understande, that accustomably my lord his great crosse stoode 
in a corner, at the table's ende, leaning against the tappet 11 or 
hanging. And when the horde's ende was taken up, and a con- 
venient time for the chapleines to arise, they forsed themselves 
to arise from the table ; and even as they rose one doctor 
Augustine 12 , a Venetian and physitian to my lorde, rising from 

treatment which he had formerly received from the cardinal, and which, in 
the bishop's mind, are " a full vindication of the earl from the charge of in- 
gratitude, in being the person employed to arrest the cardinal at his castle of 
Cawood." 

10 At his borde end.'] " In the houses of our ancient nobility, they dined at 
long tables. The lord and his principal guests sate at the upper end of the 
first-table, in the great chamber, which was therefore called the Lord's Board- 
end. The officers of his houshold, and inferior guests, at long tables below 
in the hall. In the middle of each table stood a great salt cellar ; and as 
particular care was taken to place the guests according to their rank, it 
became a mark of distinction, whether a person sate above or below the salt." 
Notes on the Northumberland Household Book, p. 419. 

11 Tappet. ~] Tapestry; Lat. Tapetum. 

12 Doctor Augustine.'] Agostino degli Agostini, or in Latin, Augustinus de 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 235 



the table with the other, having upon him a greate gowne of 
boysterous velvet, overthrew my lorde's great crosse, which stode 
in the way at the horde's ende ; and trayling downe along the 
tappet, it fell upon doctor Bonner's head, who stood by the 
tappet ; and the point brake his head a little, that the blode ran 
downe. The company there standing according to their duty 
ready to give thanks to my lord for their dinner, were greatly 
astonied with the chaunce. My lord sitting in his chaire, and 
perceiving the same, demaunded of them being next him, what 
the matter meant of their sodaine amase. I shewed him of the 
fall of his crosse upon doctor Bonner's head. " Hathe it," quoth 
he, " drawne any bloudr' "Yea forsothe my lord," quoth I. 
With that he cast his heade aside, loking soberly upon me a cer- 
taine space and sayd unto me (shaking his heade), " malum 
omen l ;" and therewith said grace, and rose up from the table, 



Augustinis. It was he who had written to Cromwell from Esher, earnestly 
pressing for Dr. Butts and others to he sent to Wolsey's assistance. (See 
p. 191.) His letter is in the Cottonian Collection, Titus B. I. fol. 365. He 
was accused, as we shall presently see, of high treason, and arrested at the 
same time with his master the cardinal, whom, it seems, he had betrayed ; he 
did not remain long in custody, nor out of favour, for in 1531 and 1532 he was 
employed on a mission in Italy, apparently to obtain information. See his 
letters to Cromwell and the duke of Norfolk, in the Cottonian MSS. Galba, 
B. x. fol. 8; Nero, B. xi. fol. 308 j and Vitellius, B. xiii. ffs. 217. 225. 236. 

1 Malum omen.'] The enemies of archbishop Laud, particularly in the time 
of his troubles, were fond of comparing him with cardinal Wolsey : and there 
is reason to think that this life was first printed in the year 1641, for the 
purpose of prejudicing that great prelate in the minds of the people, by 
insinuating a parallel between him and the cardinal. However this may have 
been, the expression in the text recals to memory an affecting anecdote 
respecting Laud, which the reader will not be displeased to find in this place. 

The year 1639, we all know, was big with events calamitous to Laud, and 
to the church and monarchy* In the Lambeth library is preserved a small 

h h 2 

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and went into his bed-chamber ; but what he did there I knowe 
not. 

Nowe marke the signification, how my lorde expounded this 
matter unto me at Pomfret, after his fall. Firste ye shall 
understande, that the crosse, which he bare as archebishope of 
Yorke, signified himselfe ; and Augustine, the physitian, who 
overthrewe the crosse, was only he that accused my lord 2 , where- 
by his enemies caught an occasion to overthrowe him. It fell 



pane of glass, in which are written with a diamond pencil the following 
words : 



Memorand : Ecclesia de 

/ Micham, Cheme et Stone, cum aliis 

fulgure combustae sunt 

Januar : 14, 163| 

Omen avertat Deus. 



On a piece of paper of the same size with the glass, and kept in the same 
case with it, is written (and by the hand of abp. Wake, as my friend, Mr. 
Todd, MS. Librarian to his Grace, the present archbishop, informs me) as 
follows : " This glasse was taken out of the west-window of the gallery at 
Croydon before I new built it ; and is, as I take it the writing of abp. Laud's 
own hand." [Written by Dr. Wordsworth, in 1818, when Dr. Charles Man- 
ners Sutton was archbishop of Canterbury. The Rev. Henry John Todd was 
afterwards archdeacon of Cleveland.] 

2 He that accused my lord.'] This may account for Augustine's speedy 
release and favor. 



o- 



upon master doctor Bonner's heade, who was master of my lord's 
Faculties and Spirituall Jurisdictions, and was then damnified by 
the overthrowe of the crosse ; yea, and moreover, drawing of the 
bloud of him betokened deathe, which shortly after did ensue ; 
about which time of this mischaunce, the same very day and 
season, Mr. Walche tooke his horse at the courte gate, as nighe 
as it could be judged. And so it must needes be taken for a 
signe or token of that which after followed, if the circumstaunce 
be equally weighed and considered ; wherein, as I suppose, God 
shewed him some more secrette knowledge of his latter daies and 
ende of his troubles : wherein it was thought that he had further 
inspiration, than all men did knowe ; which appeared righte well 
by diverse speciall communications that he had with me at diverse 
times of his last ende. And no we that I have made manifest to 
you the effect of this prodigie and signe, I will retourne againe to 
my matter. 

Nowe the appointed time drewe neare of his stallation ; and 
sitting at dinner, upon the Friday next 3 before the Monday on the 
which he intended to be stalled at Yorke, the earle of Northum- 
berlande and Mr. Walche, with a great company of gentlemen of 
the earle's house, and of the country, whom he gathered together 
in the king's name, to accompany them, not knowing to what 
intent, came into the hall at Cawood, the officers being at dinner, 
and my lord not fully dined, being then in his fruites, nor know- 
ing of the earle's being in the hall. The first thing that the earle 
did, after he had set order in the hall, he commaunded the porter 
of the gates to deliver him the keies thereof ; who would in no 
wise obey his commaundement, althoughe he were roughely 

3 The Friday next.] Nov. 4, 1530. 



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238 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



threatened, and streightly commaunded in the king's name to 
make delivery of them to one of the earle's servants, but perceiv- 
ing that, saide then unto the earle, " Sir, seeing that you doe but 
intend to set one of your servants in my place, to kepe the gates 
for your pleasure ; I knowe no servant that ye have, but that I 
am as able as he to doe it, and keepe the gates to your purpose, 
whatsoever it be. And also, the keies were delivered to me by 
my lorde my master, who charged me with them, bothe by othe, 
and other precept and commaundement. Therefore I pray you, 
my goode lorde, to pardon me, though I doe not obey your com- 
maundement. For whatsoever ye shall commaunde me to doe in 
the ministration of mine office, I shall doe it with as good a will 
and as justly, as any other of your servants, whatsoever he be." 
With that quoth the gentlemen, being there with the earle, who 
hearde him speake so stoutely, " Sir, he is a goode fellowe, and a 
faithfull servaunte to his master ; and speaketh like an honest 
man ; therefore give him your charge, and let him keepe still the 
gates ; whome we doubte not but he will be obedient to your 
commaundement. ,, " Well then," quoth the earle, " holde him a 
boke 4 , and commaund him to lay his hand thereon.'" " Thou shalt 
sweare," quoth the earle, " that thou shalt well and truly keepe 
the gates, by our commaundement, to the king our soveraigne 
lorde" s use, being his graces commisioners ; and to doe all suche 
things as we shall commaunde, and as to us shall seeme good, 
for the time of our abode here ; and that ye shall let passe 
neither in nor out at these gates, but such as you shall be com- 
maunded by us, from time to time," and with this othe he re- 
ceived the keies at the earle's and Mr. Walche's hands. 



4 A boke.] Of the Gospels. 



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( Of all these doings knewe my lord nothing ; for they stopped 
the staire, so that none went up to my lorde his chamber, and 
they that came downe could no more goe up againe. At the last 
one escaped, who came up, and shewed my lorde that the earle of 
Northumberland was in the hall ; whereat my lord marvailed, and 
would not beleve him at the first ; but commaunded a gentleman, 
being his gentleman usher 5 , to loke and bringe him the truthe, 
whether it were he or no. Who going downe the staires, where 
was a loop with a lattise, where through he looked into the hall, 
he sawe my lord of Northumberlande ; and went no further, but 
returned, and shewed my lorde it was very he. " Then," quoth 
my lorde, " I am sorry that we have dined ; for I feare that our 
officers be not provided of any store of good fishe, to make him 
some honnorable cheere, according to his estate ; notwithstanding 
he shall have suche as we have, with a righte good will. Let the 
table stande," quoth he, "and we will goe downe, and mete him, 
and bring him up ; and then shall he see how farre forthe we be 
at our dinner." With that he put the table from him, and rose 
up ; and going downe the staires he encountered the earle, whome 
he met upon the middest of the staires, comming up, with all his 
men at his taile. And assone as my lorde espied the earle, he 
put off his cappe, and saide, " My lord, ye are most heartely 
welcome ;" (and so embraced eche other.) My lord cardinall 
saide, " Although that I have often desired, and wished in my 
harte to see you in my house 6 , yet if ye had loved me well, ye 

5 A gentleman, being his gentleman usher.'] Being Cavendish himself. 

6 To see you in my house.] This was a very natural expression for Wolsey to 
use, although it conveys somewhat of a reproof. Wressil Castle, where the 
Earl of Northumberland lived, was not more than 10 miles, in a direct line, 
from Cawood, and Wolsey might well have expected some mark of outward 

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240 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



would have sent me word before of your comming, to the intente 
I might have received you according to your honnor. Notwith- 
standing ye shall have suche cheere as I can make you, with a 
righte good will ; trusting that ye will accept the same of me as 
of your very loving friend, hoping hereafter to see you oftener, 
when I shall be more able to entertain e you with better fare." 
And this saide, my lorde toke the earle by the hande, and had 
him up into the chamber ; whome followed all the number of the 
earle's servants. And when my lorde came into the chamber, he 
led the earle to the fire, and sayd, " Sir, my lord, ye shall goe into 
my bed chamber, where ye shall have a good fire, untill your 
chamber be made ready for you ; and let my lorde's male be 
brought up : and or ever I goe, I pray you give me leave to take 
these gentlemen, your servants, by the hands."" And when he had 
taken them all by the hands, he returned to the earle, saying, " I 
perceive well, my lorde, that ye have not altogether forgot my 
olde precepts, and counsell, which I gave you, when you were with 
me in your youthe, to cherishe my lorde your father's olde serv- 
ants, which I see here present with you. Surely, my lorde, ye 
doe therein very well and nobly, like a wise gentleman. For 
these be they who will not only love you, but also live and die 
with you, and be true to you, and glad to see you prosper in 
honnor ; the whiche I beseeche God to send you, with long life.'" 



respect to have been paid to him after his arrival. The proximity of Wressil 
to Cawood may have been, and in all probability it was one of the main 
reasons why the Earl of Northumberland was selected to arrest his former 
master: Sir Walter Walche having called on the Earl in his way from 
London. Of the princely castle of Wressil an account has been left by Leland 
in his Itinerary i. 59, which has been reprinted by Bishop Percy in his notes 
to the Northumberland Household Book, p. 451. 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 241 



This saide, he toke the earle by the hand, and led him into his 
bed chamber. 

And they beinge there all alone, save only I, who kept the dore, 
according to my duty, being gentleman usher ; these two lordes 
standing at a windowe by the chimney, the earle trembling saide 
unto my lorde, with a soft voice (laying his hand upon his arme), 
'/My lorde, I arrest you of highe treason." With which wordes 
my lorde was marvailously astonied, standing bothe still without 
any more wordes a good space. But at the last, quoth my lorde, 
" What authority have you to arrest me 2" " Forsothe, my 
lorde," quoth the earle, " I have a commision so to doe." 
" Where is your commision," quoth my lord, " that I may see 
it?" "Nay, sir, that you may not," saide the earle. " Well 
then," quoth my lord, "hold you contented ; then I will not obey 
your arrest : for there hath bine between your auncestors and my 
predicessors great contentions and debate of an auncient grudge, 
which may succede in you, and growe unto the like inconvenience, 
as it hath done betwene your auncestors and my predicessors. 
Therefore, without I see your authority from above, I will not 
obey you." Even as they were debating this matter betwene 
them in the chamber, so busy was Mr. Walche in arresting of 
doctor Augustine, at the dore in the pallace, saying unto him, 
" Go in traitor, or I shall make thee." And with that, I opened 
the portall dore, perceiving them both there. Mr. Walche thrust 
doctor Augustine in before him with violence. These matters on 
bothe sides astonied me very much, musing what all this should 
meane ; untill at the last, Mr. Walche, being entered my lorde 
his chamber, began to plucke off his hoode, which he had made 
him of the same clothe, whereof his coate was, which was of 
Shrewesbury cotton, to the intent he would not be knowne. ^nd 

i i 
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after he had plucked off his hoode, he kneled downe to my lorde, 
to whome my lord sayd, " Come hether, gentleman, and let me 
speake with you," commanding him to stand up, saying thus, 
" Sir, here my lorde of Northumberland hathe arrested me, but 
by whose authority or commision he sheweth me not ; but saith, 
he hath one. If ye be privy thereto, or be joined with him 
therein, I pray you she we me, 11 " Indeede my lorde, if it please 
your Grace," quoth Mr. Walche, " he sheweth you the truthe." 
" Well then," quoth my lord, " I pray you let me see it." " Sir, 
I beseeche you," quoth Mr. Walche, " hold us excused. There is 
annexed to our commision certaine instructions which ye may not 
see, ne yet be privy to the same." " Why," quoth my lorde, "be 
your instructions suche that I may not see them ? peradventure, 
if I mighte be privy to them, I could helpe you the better to per- 
form them. It is not unknowne, but I have been privy and of 
counsell in as weighty matters as these be : and I doubte not for 
my parte, but I shall prove myselfe a true man, against the 
expectation of all my cruell enemies. I see the matter where- 
upon it groweth. Well, there is no more to doe. I trowe ye are 
one of the king's privy chamber ; your name is Walche. I am 
content to yelde to you, but not to my lord of Northumberland, 
without I see his commision. And also you are a sufficient com- 
misioner in that behalfe, in as much as ye be one of the king's 
privy chamber ; for the worst there is a sufficient warrant 7 to 

7 A sufficient warrant.~\ " Strict personal attendance was required in the 
Privy Chamber to execute the commands of their sovereign s, to convey their 
directions to their ministers and state officers and others, whether at home or 
abroad, by word of mouth, where written orders might have been exposed to 
the hazard of being discovered, as well as performing the accredited func- 
tions of ambassadors themselves, and in accompanying their princes, either 
in their private interviews, or public progresses through their dominions. 

i 
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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 243 

arrest the greatest pere in this realme, by the king's only com- 
maundement, without any commision. Therefore I am at your 
will to order and to dispose: put therefore your commision and 
authority in execution : spare not, and I will obey the king's will. 
I feare more the malice and cruelty of my mortall enemies, than 
I doe the untruthe of my allegiance ; wherein, I take God to my 
judge, I never offended the king in worde ne dede ; and therein I 
dare stand face to face with any man alive, having indifferency, 
without partiality." 

Then came my lord of Northumberland unto me, standinge at 
the portall dore, and commaunded me to avoide the chamber ; 
and being lothe to departe from my master, I stode still, and 
would not remove ; to whome he spake againe, and said unto 
mee, "There is no remedy, ye must departe." With that I 
loked upon my lord (as whoe would say, shall I goe?), upon 
whome my lorde loked very heavily, and shoke at mee his heade. 
And perceiving by his countenaunce it boted me not to abide, I 
departed the chamber, and went into the next chamber, where 
abode many gentlemen of my fellowes, and other, to learne of me 
some newes ; to whome I made reporte what I sawe and hearde ; 
which was great heaviness unto them all. 

Then the earle called into the chamber diverse gentlemen of 
his owne servants ; and after that he and Mr. Walche had taken 
my lorde's keies from him, they gave the charge and custody of 
my lorde unto five gentlemen. And then they went aboute the 

But more especially were they regarded for that high distinction of bearing 
the king's commands, on the faith and credentials of their appointment, 
without a written or sealed commission." The office now exists only in 
name. See Nicholas Carlile's Inquiry into the place and quality of the Gentle- 
men of the Privy Chamber. Lond. 1829. 8vo. p. 288. 

ii 2 

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244 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

house to set all things in order, intending to departe from thence 
the next day (being Saturday) with my lord ; howbeyt it was 
Sonday towards nighte or ever they coulde bringe all things to 
passe to departe. Then went they busily about to convey doctor 
Augustine away to London, with as much speede as they could, 
sending with him diverse persones to conducte him, which was 
bounde unto his horse like a traitor. And this done, when it 
came to nighte, the commisioners assigned two gromes of my 
lordes to attend upon him in the chamber where he lay that 
nighte ; and all the rest of my lord of Northumberland's gentle- 
men watched in the next chamber ; and so was all the house 
watched, and the gates verie surely kepte, that no man could 
either passe or repasse, in or out, untill the next morning, At 
which time my lorde rose up about eighte of the clocke, and 
made him ready to ride ; where he was kept still close in his 
chamber, expecting his departing from thence. 

Then the earle sent for me into his chamber, and being there 
he commaunded me to goe to my lord, and give attendaunce 
upon him, and charged me with an oathe upon certaine articles 
to observe aboute him. And going my way toward my lorde, I 
met with Mr. Walche in the courte, who called me unto him, 
and led me into his chamber, and there shewed me how the 
king's majestie bare towards me his princely favor, for my 
dilligent and true service that I ministered daily to my lorde and 
master. " Wherefore," quoth he, " the king's pleasure is, that 
ye shall be aboute him, as most chiefe in whome his highness 
putteth great confidence and trust ; and whose pleasure is there- 
fore, that ye shall be sworne unto him to observe certaine articles, 
which you shall have delivered you in writinge." " Sir," quoth 
I, " my lorde of Northumberlande hath already sworne me to 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 245 



diverse articles" " Yea, 11 quoth he, " but he could not deliver 
you the articles in writinge, as I am commaunded specially to 
doe. Therefore, I deliver here unto you this bill with articles in 
writinge ; loke upon them, whether ye can observe them or no ; 
for ye shall not receive them of me without an oathe, for the 
fulfilling of them." And when I had perused them, and sawe 
them but reasonable and tollerable, I aunswered, that I was con- 
tented to obey the king's pleasure, and to be sworne to the per- 
formaunce of them. And so he gave me a new othe : and then 
I resorted unto my lorde, where he was sitting in a chaire, the 
tables being spred for him to goe to dinner. But as soone as he 
perceived me to come in, he fell out into suche a wofull lamenta- 
tion with such ruthefull teares and watery eies, that it would 
have caused a flinty harte to mourne with him. And as I could, 
I with others comforted him; but it would not be. "For," 
quoth he, " No we I lament, that I see this gentleman" (meaning 
me) " how faithefull, how dilligent, and how painefull he hath 
served me, abandonning his owne country, wife, and children ; 
his house and family, his rest and quietnesse, only to serve me, 
and I have nothinge to rewarde him for his highe merittes. And 
also the sighte of him causeth me to call to my remembrance 
the nomber of faithfull servauntes, that I have here with me ; 
whome I did intend to preferre and advaunce, to the best of my 
powre, from time to time, as occasion should serve. But now, 
alas ! I am prevented, and have nothing here to rewarde them ; 
all is deprived me, and I am left here their miserable and wretched 
master. Howbeyt," quoth he to me (calling me by my name), 
" I am a true man, and ye shall never have shame of me for your 
servise." " Sir," quoth I unto him (perceiving his heaviness), 
" I doe nothinge mistruste your truthe : and for the same will I 



© —Q 



depose bothe before the king, and his honnorable counsell. Where- 
fore, sir," (kneeling upon my knee) " comforte yourselfe, and be 
of good cheere. The malice of your ungodly enemies can, ne 
( shall not prevaile. I doubt not but comming to your aunswer, 
my hearte is suche, that ye shall clearly acquit yourselfe, so to 
your commendation and truthe, as that, I trust, it shall be much 
to your great honnour, and restitution unto your former estate. 1,1 
" Yea," quoth he, " if I may come to my aunswer, I feare no 
man alive ; for he liveth not that shall look upon this face " 
(pointing to his owne face), " that shall be able to accuse me of 
any untruthe ; and that knowe well mine enemies, which will be 
an occasion that they will not suffer me to have indifferent 
justice, but seeke some sinister meanes to dispatch me." " Sir," 
quoth I, "ye neede not therein to doubte, the king being so 
muche your good lorde, as he hath alwaies shewed himselfe to be, 
in all your troubles." With that came up my lorde his meate ; 
and so we lefte our former communication, and I gave my lorde 
water, and set him downe to dinner; who did eate very little 
meate, but very many times sodainely he would burste out in 
teares, with the most sorrowfull words that have bine hearde of 
any woefull creature. And at the laste he fetched a great sighe, 
and saide this texte of scripture 8 in this wise, " constantia 
Martirum laudabilis ! charitas inextinguibilis ! pacientia 

8 Texte of scripturej] The words which follow, I apprehend, are part of 
some ecclesiastical hymn. It was not unusual to attribute the name of 
Scripture to all such compositions ; and to whatever was read in churches. 
"Also I said and affirmed" (the words are part of the recantation of a 
Wicklifnte) " that I held no Scripture catholike nor holy, but onely that is 
contained in the Bible. For the legends and lives of saints I held hem 
nought ; and the miracles written of hem, I held untrue." — Fox's Acts, 
p. 591. 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 247 

/ invincibilis, quae licet inter pressuras persequentium visa sit despi- 
cabilis, invenietur in laudem et gloriam ac honorem in tempore 
trihulationis /" And thus passed he forthe his dinner in great 
lamentation and heaviness, who was fed more with weping 
teares, than with any delicate meates that were set before him. I 
suppose that there was not a drie eie among all the gentlemen, that 
were there attending upon him. And when the table was taken 
up we expected continually our removing, untill it drewe to 
nighte ; and then it was shewed my lorde, that he could not goe 
away that nighte; but on the morrow, by God's grace, he 
should departe. " Even then, 1 ' quoth he, " when my lord of 
Northumberland shall be pleased." Wherefore it was concluded 
that he should tarry untill the next day, being Sonday. 

On which day my lord rose in the morning, and prepared him 
ready to ride, after he had hearde masse ; and by that time he 
had saide all his divine service, it was dinner time ; and after 
dinner the earle appointed all things, how it should be ordered ; 
and by that time it was nere nighte. There were appointed to 
waite upon him diverse persons, among whom I myselfe, and 
foure more of his owne servaunts were assigned unto him. First 
his chaplen, two groomes and his barber : and as we were going 
downe out of the great chamber, my lorde demaunded where his 
servaunts were become ; the which the earle and Mr. Walche 
had inclosed within the chappel there, because they should not 
trouble his passage. Notwithstanding my lord would not goe 
downe untill he had a sighte of his servauntes ; to whom it was 
aunswered that he might not see them. "Why so?" then 
quoth my lord. " I will not out of this house, but I will see my 
servaunts, and take my leave of them before I will goe any 
further." And his servauntes, being in the chappell, having 

6 



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248 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

understanding that my lord was going away, and that they should 
not see' him before his departure, they began to grudge, and to 
make suche a rutheful noise, that the commisioners were in 
doubte of a tumulte, to tarry among them ; wherefore they were 
let out, and suffered to repaire to my lord, in the great chamber ; 
where they kneled downe before him; among whome was no 
one drie eie, but earnestly lamented their master's fall and trouble. 
To whome my lord gave comfortable wordes, and worthy praises 
for their diligence, honesty, and truthe done to him heretofore, 
assuring them, that what chaunce soever shall happen him, he 
was a very true and a just man to his so ver eigne lord. And 
thus with a lamentable manner, shaked every of them by the 
hand. 

Then was he constrained to departe, the nighte drewe so faste 
on. And so my lord his horse, and ours were ready brought into 
the inner courte ; where we mounted, and comming to the gate to 
ride out, which was shut, the porter opening the same to let us passe, 
there was ready attending a great nomber of gentlemen with their 
servauntes, such as the earle had appointed for that purpose, to 
attend and conducte my lord to Pomfret that nighte, and so forthe, 
as ye shall hereafter heare. But to tell you of the nomber of the 
people of the country that were assembled at the gate to lament 
his departing, I suppose they were in nomber above three 
thousand people ; which at the opening of the gates, after they; 
had a sighte of him, cried with a loud voice, " God save your 
Grace, God save your Grace ! The foul evill take them that 
have thus taken you from us ! We pray God that a very 
vengeaunce may light upon them ! " Thus they ran after him, 
crying through the towne of Oawood, they loved him so well. — 
Surely they had a great losse of him, bothe riche and poore : 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 249 

/ 

( for the poore had by him great reliefe ; and the riche lacked not 

• his counsell and helpe in all their troubles ; which caused him to 
have such love among the people of the country. 

Then rode he with his conductors towards Pomfret ; and by 
the way as he rode, called me unto him, asking me if I had any 
gentleman of mine acquaintance among the nomber that rode 
with him. " Yea, sir," sayd I, " what is your pleasure V " Mary," 
quoth he, "I have left a thinge behinde that I would faine have ; 
the whiche I would most gladly send for. 11 " If I knewe," quoth 
I, " what it were I should send one incontinent backe againe for 
it." " Then," saide he, "let the messenger goe to my lorde of 
Northumberlande, and desire him to send me the red buckram 
bagge, lying in my almery in my chamber, sealed with my seale." 
With that I departed from him, and went streight unto one sir 
Roger Lassels 9 , knighte, and stewarde with the earle (being one 
among the route), and desired him to cause some of his servaunts 
to return to my lord of Northumberland for that purpose ; who 
graunted my requeste most gently, and thereupon sent incon- 
tinent one of his trusty servaunts with all spede back againe to 
Cawood for the said bagge ; who did so honestly his message, 
that he brought the same unto my lord shortly after he was in 
his chamber at the abbey of Pomfret ; where he laye all nighte. 
In which bagge was no other thing inclosed but three sheartes of 
heare, the which he delivered unto his chaplen and ghostly father 
secretly. 

Furthermore, as he rode towarde Pomfret, he demaunded of 
me, whither they would leade him that nighte. " Mary, sir," 
quoth I, " to Pomfret." " Alas !" quoth he, " shall I goe to the 

9 Lassels.'] Sir Roger Lascelles, of Sowerby and Brackenbury. 

Kk 

$ — — . e 



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250 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



castle l j and lie there, and dye like a beaste V " Sir, I can tell 
you no more," quoth I, " what they intend to doe ; but sir, I will 
enquire of a secret friend of mine in this company, who is chiefe 
of all their counsells." 

(With that I repaired unto the saide Eoger Lassels, and desired 
him as earnestly as I could, that he would vouchsafe to shewe 
me, whither my lord should go to be lodged that nighte ; who 
aunswered me againe that my lord should be lodged in the 
abbey of Pomfret, and in none other place ; the which I reported 
to my lord, who was glad thereof ; so that within nighte we came 
to Pomfret, and there lodged within the abbey as is aforesaide. 

And my lord of Northumberland continued all that nighte at 
Cawood, to see the dispatche of the household, and to establishe 
all the stuffe within the same in security. 

(The next day my lord removed towards Doncaster, and came 
into the towne by torche lighte, the which was his desire, be- 
cause of the people. Yet notwithstanding, the people were 
assembled, and cried out upon him, " God save your Grace, God 
save your Grace, my good lord cardinall ;"" running before him 
with candles in their hands ; who caused me to ride by his side 
to shadowe him from the people ; and yet they perceived him, 
and lamented his misfortune, cursing his accusers. And thus 



1 To the casth.~\ Where so many executions for treason had taken place, 
that Wolsey might well hold it in dread. So Lord Rivers exclaims : — 
— " O Pomfret, Pomfret ! O thou bloody prison, 
Fatal and ominous to noble peers ! 
\Yithin the guilty closure of thy walls, 
Richard the Second here was hack'd to death : 
And for more slander to thy dismal seat, 
We give thee up our guiltless blood to drink." 

Rich. III. Act hi. sc. 3. 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 251 



they brought him to the Black-friars, within the which he was 
lodged. 

And the next day we removed and rode to Sheffilde parke 2 , 
where my lord of Shrewsbury lay within the lodge, the people all 
the way thitherwarde still lamenting him, crying as they did 
before. And when we came into the parke of Sheffild nighe to 
the lodge, my lord of Shrewesbury, with my lady and a traine of 
gentlewomen, and all other his gentlemen and servaunts, stode 
without the gates, to attend my lordes comming, to receive him ; 
at whose alighting the earle received him with much honnour, 
and embraced my lord saying these wordes, " My lord," quoth 
he, " your Grace is most hartely welcome unto me, and I am glad 
to see you here in my pore lodge, where I have long desired to 
see you, and should have been much more gladder, if you had 
come after an other sorte." " Ay, my gentle lord of Shrewes- 
bury," quoth my lord, " I hartely thank you : and although I 
have cause to lament, yet, as a faithfull harte may, I doe rejoice, 
that my chaunce is to come unto the custody of so noble a 
person, whose approved honnour and wisedome hath allwaies bin 
right well knowne to all noble estates. And, sir, howsoever my 
accusers have used their accusations against me, this I knowe 
and soe before your lordship, and all the world, I doe protest, 
that my demeanour and procedinges have allwaies bin both just 
and loyall towardes my sovereigne and leige lord ; of whose usage 
in his graced affaires your lordship hath had right good expe- 
rience ; and even accordinge to my truthe, so I beseeche God to 
helpe me !?' "I doubt not," quoth my lord of Shrewesbury, " of 

2 To Sheffilde parke.~] On Sunday the 6th November, where, as Cavendish 
correctly says, he remained for eighteen days, till Thursday the 24th, when 
he departed to Hardwicke. 

Kk 2 

o o 



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252 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



your truthe. Therefore, my lord, be of good cheere, and feare 
not ; for I am nothing sorry, but that I have not wherewith to 
entertaine you, according to my good will and your honnour ; 
but such as I have, ye shall be wellcome to it ; for I will not 
receive you as a prisonner, but as my good lord, and the king's 
true and loving subject ; and sir, here is my wife 3 come to 
salute you." Whome my lord kissed, with his cappe in his 
hand bareheaded, and all the other gentlemen ; and tooke all the 
earle's servants by the hands, as well gentlemen as yeomen. This 
done, these two lordes went into the lodge arme in arme, and so 
conducted my lord into a faire gallery, where was in the further 
end thereof a goodly towre with lodgings, where my lord was 
lodged. There was also in the middest of the same gallery a 
traverse of sarsenet drawne ; so that the one end thereof was 
preserved for my lord, and tjie other for the earle. 

Then departed from my lord all the great nomber of gentle- 
men and other that conducted him thither. And my lord, being 
thus with my lord of Shrewsbury, continued there eighteen daies 
after ; upon whome my lord of Shrewsbury appointed diverse 
worthy gentlemen to attend continually, to foresee that he should 
lacke nothing that he would desire, being served in his owne 
chamber at dinner, and supper, as honnorably, and with as many 
dainty dishes, as he had in his owne house commonly being at 
liberty. And once every day my lord of Shrewsbury would 
repaire unto him, and common with him, sitting upon a bench in 
a great windowe in the gallery. And allthoughe that my said 
lord of Shrewsbury would right hartely comforte him, yet would 

3 My wife ] His second wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Thomas Walden. 
The earl of Northumberland had married Mary, daughter of the earl of 
Shrewsbury by his first wife. See pp. 51 — 58. 

C — 6 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



253 



he lament so piteously, that it would make my lord of Shrews- 
bury to be very heavy, for his griefe. " Sir," said he, "I have 
and doe daily receive letters from the king, commanding me to 
entertaine you, as one that he highly favoureth and loveth ; 
whereby I doe perceive ye doe lament more than ye have cause 
to doe. And although ye be accused * (as I trust wrongfully), yet 
the king can do no lesse but to put you to your trial, the which 
is more for the satisfying of some persons, than for any mistrust 
that he hath of your traiterous doings." " Alas ! my lord," quoth 
my lord cardinal], " is it not a pitteous case, that any man should 
so wrongfully accuse me unto the king, and not to come to the 
king to my aunswer before his grace ? For I am well assured my 
lord, that there is no man alive that loketh in this face of mine, 
who is able to accuse me. It grieveth me very much that the 
king should have any such opinion in me, to thinke that I would 
be false or conspire any evill to his person ; who may well consi- 

4 Ye be accused.'] The following, written whilst Wolsey was at Sheffield, 
shows that he was betrayed by some of his own dependents : " La presente des- 
pachia s'e tenuta fin a mo, per intender' in questo mezo piu oltra sul fatto del 
povero cardinale, sul quale questo ser. Re et li sig. del suo consiglio m'han 
assicurato et con juramento, eke di me non solo non han alcuna umbra di sus- 
pition, ma hanno ogni buona opinion, et che mi tengano per caro servitor' : et li 
sig. di Norfolch et Suffolch, con ogni instantia, m'han pregato, cossi volermi 
persuader' et fermamente creder', ma quanto al card, mi par' comprender' 
chel povero sig. non la debbi far bene, et dicono che contra di lui haveano et 
hanno molte importante cause, et molti gravi juditii, et fra quelli, cossi mi 
disse el re, che contra de S. M. el machinava nel regno etfuori, elm* a detto dove 
et come, et che un' et for si piu dun' de' suoi servitori V hanno et scoperto et accu- 
sato. Basta ch'in questo non e'e mescolanza, ne pur umbra ne sentor' 
d'alcun manegio de m'un servitor' 6 ministro del Chr. Re, et le cose vechie, 
nel detto Car. molto graveran le nuove ; a me sommamente duole el caso suo, 
ma in mio poter' non essendo el remediarlo, ricorero alia pacientia." Gio. 
Gioac. di Passano, to the grand master Montmorency, Dat. London, 10 Nov. 
1530. Le Grand, iii. 529. 



©- 



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254 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

der, that I have no assured friends in all the world, but only his 
grace ; soe that if I should go about to betray my sovereign lord 
and prince, in whom is all my trust and confidence before all other, 
all men mighte justly thinke and say, that I lacked bothe grace, 
wit, and discretion. Nay, nay my lord, I would rather adventure 
to sheade my harte bloud in his defence, as I am bound, bothe 
for my allegiance and for my safeguard ; for he is my staffe that 
supporteth me, and the wall that defendeth me against all these 
my corrupt enemies, and all other ; who knoweth me, and my 
true dilligent proceedings in all his affaires and doings, much 
better than any of them. Therefore to conclude, it is not to be 
thought that ever I would maliciously or trait erou sly travaill or 
wishe any hurte or damage to his royall person or imperiall dig- 
nity, but, as I saide before, defend it with the very sheading of 
my harte bloud, and if it were but only for mine owne defense, 
to preserve mine estate and simple life, that which mine enemies 
thinke I doe so much esteeme ; having no other refuge to fly 
unto for protection and defense, but only under the shadowe of 
his wings. Alas ! my lord, I was in a good estate now, and lived 
quietly, being right well contented with the same. But mine 
enemies who never slepe, but continually study both sleping and 
waking to rid me out of the way, perceiving the contentation of 
my mind, douted that if I lived, their mallicious and cruell 
dealings would growe at lengthe to their shame, rebuke and open 
slaimder ; and therefore would prevent the same with the shed- 
ding of my bloud. But from God, that knoweth the secret of 
their hartes, and of all others, it cannot be hid, ne yet unre- 
warded, when he shall see opportunity. And, my good lord, if 
you would shewe yourself so much my good friend, as to require 
the king's majestie that mine accusers may come before my face 

o 



ej? ' A/* 

CARDINAL WOLSEY. 255 



in his presence, and there that I may make aunswer, I doubte 
not but ye shall see me acquite myselfe of all their malicious 
accusations, and utterly confound them ; for they shall never be 
able to prove by any due probation, that ever I offended the king 
either in thought, worde, or dede. Therefore I desire you, and 
most hartely require your good lordship, to be a meane for me, 
that I may aunswer unto my accusations before the king's ma- 
jestic The case is his, and if their accusations were t$ue, then 
should it touche him more earnestly ; wherefore it were conve- 
nient that he should heare it himselfe. But I feare me, that 
they intend to dispatche me rather then I should come before 
his presence ; for they be well assured, and very certaine, that 
my truthe should vanquishe all their accusations and untrue sur- 
mises ; which is the especiall cause that maketh me so earnestly 
desire to make mine aunswer before the king's majestie. The 
losse of goods, the slaunder of my name, ne yet all my trouble 
grieveth me any thing so much, as the losse of the king's favor, 
and that he should have in me such an opinion, without deserte, 
of untruthe, that have with such travaill and paines served the 
king so justly, so paynfully, and with so good an harte, to his 
profit and honnor at all times. And against the truthe of my 
doings, their accusations proved by me to be unjust, should doe 
me more pleasure and good, than the obteining much treasure ; 
as I doubt not to doe, if the case might be indifferently heard. 
No we my good lord, weighe my reasonable request, and let 
charity and truthe move your harte with pitty, to helpe me in all 
this my truthe, wherein you shall take no manner of rebuke or 
slaunder, by the grace of God." " Well then," saide my lord of 
Shrewsbury, " I will write to the king in your behalfe, declaring 
to him by my letters howe ye lament his indignation and displea- 

- 



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256 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



sure ; and also what request ye make for the triall of your truthe 
towardes his highness ."" And after diverse other communica- 
tions as they were accustomed daily to have, they departed 
asunder. 

Remayning there thus with my lord the space of a fortnight, 
having goodly enterteinement, and often desired by the earle to 
kill a doe or harte in his parke there, who allwaies refused to take 
any pleasure either in hunting or otherwise, but applied his praiers 
continually with great devotion ; so that it came to passe at a 
certaine time as he sat at dinner in his owne chamber, having at 
-his b^ r ^es ende the same day, as he accustomably had every day, 
a messe of gentlemen and chaplens to kepe his company, towardes 
the ende of his dinner, when he came to the eating of his fruites, 
I perceived his colour often to change, whereby I judged him not 
to be in good health. With that I leaned over the table, and 
speaking softly unto him, saide, " Sir, me seemeth your Grace is 
not well at ease." To whom he aunswered and saide, with a 
loude voice, " Forsothe, no more I am; for I am, quoth he, 
taken sodenly with a thing about my stomake, that lieth there 
along, as could as a whetstone ; whiche is no more but winde ; 
therefore I pray you take up the table, and make a short dinner, 
and that done, resorte shortly againe." And after the meate was 
carried out of the chamber, into the gallery, where all the waiters 
dined, and every man set, I rose up and forsoke my dinner, and 
came into the chamber unto my lord, where I found him still 
sitting very ill at ease ; notwithstanding he was commoning 
with them at the horde's end, whome he had commaunded to sit 
still. And as soone as I w T as entered the chamber, he desired 
me to go to the poticary, and enquire of him if he had any thinge 
that would make him breake winde upwarde. Then went I to the 

6 . O 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 257 

earle, and shewed him what estate my lord was in, and what he 
desired. With that my lord of Shrewsbury caused incontinent 
the poticary to be called before him ; and at his comming he 
demaunded of him, if he had any thinge that would break winde 
upwarde in a man's body ; and he aunswered that he had such 
geare. " Then," quoth the earle, " fetche me some." Then 
departed the poticary, and brought with him a white confection 
in a faire paper, and shewed it unto my lord, who commaunded 
me to give the saye 5 thereof before him, and so I did. And I 
toke the same and brought it to my lord, whereof also I tooke 
the saye myself, and then delivered it to my lord, who received 
it up all at once into his mouthe. But immediately after he 
had received the same, surely he avoided much winde exceed- 
ingly, upwarde. " Lo," quoth he, "you may see it was but 
winde ; and no we am I well eased, I thanke God :" and so rose 
from the table, and went to his praiers, as he used every day 
after dinner. And that done, there came upon him such a laske 6 , 
that it caused him to go to the stole ; and being there, my lord 
of Shrewsbury sent for me, and at my repaire to him he saide : 
" For as much as I have alwaies perceived you to be a man, in 
whome my lord your master hath great affiaunce ; and also 
knowing you to be an honest man" (with many more wordes of 
commendation and praise, than becometh me here to recite), 
"it is so, that my lord your master hath often desired me to 
write to the king, that he mighte come before his presence, to 
aunswer to his accusations ; and even so have I done ; and this 
day have I received letters from the king's grace, by Sir William 

5 Saye.~] Assay, trial by sample or tasting. 

6 Laske.~\ Laxe, looseness. 

l1 

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Kingstone 7 , whereby I perceive that the king hath in him a good 
opinion : and by my request, he hath sent for him, by the same 
Sir William, to come unto him ; who is in his chamber. Where- 
fore nowe is the time come that my lord hath often desired to 
try himselfe, I truste, muche to his honnor ; and it shall be the 
best journey that ever he made in his life. Therefore nowe 
would I have you to play the parte of a wise man, to break this 
matter wittily unto him, in suche sorte, that he may take it 
quietly, and in good parte : for he is ever so full of sorrowe and 
heaviness, at my being with him, that I feare me he will take it 
in evill parte, and then doeth he not well : for I assure you, and 
so shewe him, that the king is his good lord, and hath given me 
most worthy thanks for his enterteinement, desiring and com- 
manding me so to continue, not doubting but that he will right 
nobly acquite himself towards his highness. Therefore, go your 
waies to him, and perswade with him that I may finde him in 
good quiet at my comming, for I will not tarry long after you/' 
" Sir," quoth I, " if it please your lordship, I shall endevour me 
to the best of my powre, to accomplishe your lordship's com- 
maundement. But sir, I doubte, that when I shall name Sir 
William Kingstone to him, he will mistrust that all is not well ; 
because Mr. Kingstone is constable of the towre, and capitaine 
of the guarde, having with him, as I understande, twenty foure 
of the guarde to attend upon him." " Mary it is truthe ;'' 
quoth the earle, " what thereof, although he be constable of the 
towre ? he is the most meetest man for his wisdom and discretion 
to be sent about any such message. And for the guarde, it is 

7 Sir William Kingstone."] He was appointed constable of the Tower for 
life, by letters patent, dated 28 May 1524, soon after the death of Sir Thomas 
Lovell. He was afterwards made a knight of the garter. 

Q 



for none other purpose but only to defend him against them that 
would intend him any evill, either in worde or deede ; and they 
be all, or for the most parte, such of his olde servants as the king 
toke of late into his service, to the intent that they should attend 
upon him most justly, knowing beste how to serve him." " Well 
Sir," saide I, " I shall doe what I can," and so departed from 
him towards my lord. 

And as I repaired unto him, I found him sitting at the upper 
ende of the gallery, upon a cheste, with his staffe and his beades 
in his hands. And espying me comming from the earle, de- 
maunded of me what newes. " Forsoothe Sir," quoth I, " the 
best newes that ever came to you ; if your Grace can take it 
well." " I pray God it be," quoth he, " what is it?" " Forsoothe 
Sir," saide I, "my lord of Shrewsbury, perceiving by your often 
communication with him, that ye were allwaies desirous to come 
before the king's majestic, he as your most assured friend hath 
travailed so with his letters unto the king, that he hath sent for 
you, by Mr. Kingstone and twenty four of the guarde, to conduct 
you to his highness." " Mr. Kingstone," quoth he, rehersing his 
name 8 once or twise ; and with that clapped his hand on his 
thighe, and gave a great sighe. " Sir," quoth I, " if it please 

8 Rehersing his name.'] "I know not whether or no it be worth the mention- 
ing here (however we will put it on the adventure), but cardinal Wolsey, in his 
lifetime, was informed by some fortune-tellers, that he should have his end at 
Kingston. This, his credulity interpreted of Kingston-on-Thames ; which 
made him alwayes to avoid the riding through that town, though the nearest 
way from his house to the court. Afterwards, understanding that he was to 
be committed by the king's express order to the charge of Sir Anthony 
Kingston (see Lord Henry Howard [Earl of Northampton], in his Book 
against Prophecies, chap, xxviii. fol. 130), it struck to his heart; too late 
perceiving himself deceived by that father of lies in his homonymous predic- 
tion." — Fuller's Church History, book v. p. 178. 

lI 2 

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260 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

your Grace if you would or could take all things in good parte, it 
should be much better for you. Content yourself for God's sake, 
and thinke that God and your friends have wrought for you, 
according to your owne desire. Did ye not allwaies wishe, that 
ye might cleare yourselfe before the king ; and now that God and 
your friends have brought your desire to passe, ye will not take it 
thankfully I If ye consider your truthe and loyalty to our sove- 
reign lorde, against the which your enemies cannot prevaile, the 
king being your good lord as he is, ye know well, the king can 
doe no lesse than he doeth to you, being to his highness accused 
of some heinous crime, but cause you to be brought to your 
tryall, and there to receave according to your meritts ; the which 
his highness trusteth, and saithe no lesse, but that you shall 
prove yourselfe a just man to his majestie, wherein ye have more 
cause to rejoice, than thus to lament, or to mistrust the favour- 
able ministration of due justice. For I assure you, your enemies 
be more afraide of you, than you of them ; and doubting you so 
much, they wishe the thinge, that they shall never I truste bring 
to passe with all their wittes, the king (as I sayd before) being 
your indifferent judge, and your earnest friend. And to prove 
that he so is, see you not how he hathe sent gentle Mr. King- 
stone, to honnour you with as much honnour, as was due to you 
in your high estate ; and to convey you by such easy journies, as 
you will commaund him to doe ; and that ye shall have all your 
desires and requests by the way in every place, to your Grace's 
contentation and honnour. Wherefore Sir, I humbly beseeche 
your Grace, to imprinte all these persuasions and many other 
like, in your highe discretion, and be of good cheere ; wherewith 
ye shall comforte yourselfe, and give all your friends and servants 
good hope of your good spede." " Well, well, then," quoth he, 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 261 

" I perceive more than ye can imagine, or doe knowe. Expe- 
rience of olde hath taught me. 1 ' And therewith he rose up, and 
went into his chamber, and went to the stoole, the laske troubled 
him so sore ; and when he had done, he came out againe ; and 
immediately after my lord of Shrewsbury came into the gallery 
unto him, with whome my lord met, and then sitting downe there 
upon a benche in a great bay windowe, the earle asked him how 
he did, and he most lamentably, as he was accustomed to do, 
aunswered him, and thanked him for his gentle entertainment. 
" Sir," quoth the earle, " if ye remember ye have often wished to 
come before the king, to make your aunswer : and I perceiving 
your often desire and earnest request, as one that beareth you 
good will, have written especially unto the king in that behalfe ; 
making him privy also of your lamentable sorrowe, that ye in- 
wardly have received of his displeasure ; who accepteth all your 
doings therein, as friends be accustomed to do in such cases. 
Wherefore I would advise you to pluck up your harte, and be not 
agast of your enemies, who I assure you be more in doubt of you, 
than you would thinke, perceiving that the king is minded to 
have the hearing of your case before his own person, Nowe, Sir, 
if you can be of good cheere, I doubt not but this journey which 
you shall take up unto his highness, shall be much to your ad- 
vauncement, and an overthrowe to your enemies. The king hath 
sent for you by the worshipfull knight Mr. Kingstone, and with 
him twenty four of your old servantes, nowe of the guarde, to 
defend you against your enemies to the intent that ye may safely 
come unto his majestic" " Sir," quoth my lord, " I trowe that 
Mr. Kingstone is constable of the tower. 11 " Yea, what of that V 
quoth the earle, " I assure you he is elected of the king for one 
of your friends, and for a discreete gentleman, most worthy to 

6 



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262 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

take upon him the safeguarde and conduct of your person ; which 
without faile the king much esteemeth, and secretly beareth you 
speciall favor, far otherwise than ye doe take it." " Well Sir, 11 
quoth my lord, " as God will, so be it. I am subjecte to fortune, 
and to fortune I submit myselfe, being a true man ready to accept 
such chaunces as shall followe, and there an ende ; Sir I pray 
you, where is Mr. Kingstone V " Mary, 11 quoth the earle, " if 
you will, I will send for him, who would most gladly see you. 11 " I 
pray you then, 11 quoth my lord, " send for him. 11 At whose mes- 
sage he came ; and as soon as my lord espied him comming at 
the gallery ende, he made haste to encounter him. Mr. King- 
stone came towards him with much reverence ; and at his coining 
he kneeled downe unto him, and saluted him in the king's behalfe ; 
whome my lorde bare-headed offered to take up, but he still re- 
fused. Then quoth my lord, "(Mr. Kingstone, I pray you to 
stand up, and leave your kneeling unto me ; for I am but a 
wretch replete with misery not esteeming myselfe, but as a vile 
abject utterly cast away, without deserte, as God knoweth. And 
therefore, good Mr. Kingstone, stand up, or I will kneele downe 
by you ;" whom he would not leave untill he stode up. Then 
spake Mr. Kingstone and saide, with humble reverence, " Sir, 
the king's majestie hath him commended unto you. 11 " I thank 
his highness, 11 quoth my lord, " I trust he is in health, and 
merry. 11 "\Yea, without doubt, 11 quoth Mr. Kingstone: "and 
he commaunded me to say unto you, that you should assure 
yourselfe, that he beareth unto you as much good will and favour 
as ever he did ; and willeth you to be of good cheere. And where 
reporte hath bin made unto him, that you should commit against 
his royal majestie certain heinous crimes, which he thinketh per- 
fectly to be untrue, yet for the ministration of justice, in such 

6 © 



cases requisite, he can doe no lesse than send for you to your 
triall, mistrusting nothing your truthe nor wisdome, but that ye 
shall be hable to requite yourselfe of all complaints and accusa- 
tions exhibited against you ; and to take your journey to him at 
your owne pleasure, commaunding me to attend upon you with 
ministration of due reverence, and to see your person preserved 
against all inconveniences that may ensue ; and to elect all such 
your olde servauntes, nowe his, to serve you by the way, who 
have most experience of your diet. Therefore, Sir, I beseeche 
you be of good cheere ; and when it shall be your owne pleasure 
to take your journey, I shall be ready to give attendaunce upon 
you." " Mr. Kingstone," quoth my lord, " I thanke you for your 
good newes : and Sir, hereof assure yourselfe, that if I were as able 
and lusty as I have bin but of late, I would not fail to ride with 
you in post : but Sir, I am diseased with a fluxe 9 that maketh me 

9 Diseased with a fluxed] In the printed editions the passage stands thus : 
" But, alas ! I am a diseased man, having a flux : (at which time it was 
apparent that he had poy sorted himself) it hath made me very weak." p. 190, 
edit. 1706. "It is highly probable (says Dr. Fiddes, in his Life of Wolsey, 
p. 499), this expression ought to be taken in a softer sense than the words 
strictly import, and that Cavendish only intended by it, that he was poisoned 
by taking something prepared for him, by other hands." Dr. F. then pro- 
ceeds to invalidate, by reasoning, the story of the cardinal having hastened his 
own death. But, I apprehend, it cannot be thought that there is much force 
in the doctor's arguments. It is more important to observe, that it admits of 
great question, whether the words in the parenthesis are not altogether an 
interpolation. They do not occur in any MS. which I have seen. Still it is 
certain that the charge of his having poisoned himself was repeated by con- 
temporary writers, without scruple. — See TindalPs Works, p. 404 ; Supplica- 
tion to the Queen's Majesty, fol. 7. a.d. 1555 : Fox's Acts, p. 959. 

"When good men die suddenly " (says David Lloyd, State Worthies, p. 23), 
" it is said they are poisoned ; and when the bad fall unexpectedly, as Wolsey 
did, it is said they poison themselves. He died unpitied, because he had 
lived feared ; being the great bias of the Christian world ! " 

O- O 



very weake. But Mr. Kingstone, all the comfortable wordes 
which ye have spoken unto me, be spoken but for a purpose to 
bring me into a fooles paradise : I knowe what is provided for me. 
Notwithstanding, I thank you for your good will, and paines 
taken about me ; and I shall with all spede make me ready to 
ride with you to morrowe." And thus they fell into other com- 
munication, bothe the earle and Mr. Kingstone with my lorde ; 
who commaunded me to foresee and provide that all things 
mighte be made ready to departe the morrowe after. Then 
caused I all things to be trussed up, and made in readiness as 
fast as they could conveniently. 

[When night came that we should goe to bed, my lorde waxed 
very sicke with the laske, the which caused him still continually 
from time to time to go to the stoole, all that night ; in somuch 
that from the time that it tooke him, until the next morning he 
had fifty stooles, so that he was that day very weake. His matter 
that he voided was wondrous blacke, the which the physition 
called coller adustine ; and when he perceived it, he saide to me, 
that if he had not some helpe shortly he shall die. With that I 
caused one doctor Nicholas a doctor of phisicke, being with my 
lord of Shrewesbury, to looke upon the grosse matter that he 
avoided ; upon sight whereof he determined he should not live 
four or five daies ; yet notwithstanding he would have ridden 
with Mr. Kingstone that same daie, if my lord of Shrewesbury 
had not beene. Therefore, in consideration of his infirmity they 
caused him to tarry all that day. 

And the next day he tooke his journey, with Mr. Kingstone 
and them of the guarde. And as sone as they espied him, con- 
sidering that he was their olde master, and in such estate, they 
lamented his misfortune, with weping eyes. Whome my lorde 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 265 

toke by the hand, and many times, as he rode by the way, he 
would talke, nowe with one, then with an other, until he came to 
an house of my lord of Shrewesburys, called Hardwicke Hall 10 , 
where he lay all that nighte very evill at ease. The next day he 
rode to Nottingham, and there lodged that nighte, more sicke, 
and the next day he rode to Leicester abbey ; and by the way 
he waxed so sicke, that he was almost fallen from his mule ; so 
that it was nighte before we came to the abbey of Leicester, where 
at his comming in at the gate the abbot with all his convent 
met him with diverse torches lighte ; whom they right honorably 
received and welcomed with great reverence. To whome my 
lord saide \ ';' Father Abbots I am come hither to leave my bones 
among you," riding so still until he came to the staires of his 
chamber, where he alighted from his mule, and then master 
Kingstone tooke him by the arme, and led him up the stairs ; 
who tould me afterwardes, he never felt so heavy a burden in all 
his life. And as sone as he was in his chamber, he went incon- 
tinent to his bed, very sicke. This was upon Satterday at nighte 2 ; 
and then continued he, sicker and sicker. 

Upon Monday in the morning, as I stoode by his bed side? 
about eighte of the clocke, the windowes being close shut, and 

10 Hardwicke Hall.'] Not Hardwicke Hall, in Derbyshire, the seat of the 
duke of Devonshire, which then belonged to a family of the name of Hard- 
wicke, but Hardwicke-upon-Line, about four miles from Newstead, in. Not- 
tinghamshire. See Hunter's " Who wrote Cavendish's Life of Wolsey f " 

1 My lord saide.] 

" O, father abbot, 

An old man, broken with the storms of state, 
Is come to lay his weary bones among ye ; 
Give him a little earth for charity ! " 

Henry VIII. act iv. sc. ii. 

2 Satterday at nighte.] 26th November. 

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266 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



having waxe lightes, burning upon the cupborde, I beheld him, as 
me seemed, drawing faste towardes deathe. He perceiving my 
shadowe upon the wall by the. bed side, asked who was there ? 
" Sir," quoth I, "I am here." "How doe you?" quoth he to 
me. " Very well, Sir," quoth I, " if I mighte see your grace 
well." "What is it of the clocke?" saide he to me. "Sir," 
said I, "it is past eight in the morning." "Eight of the clocke?" 
quoth he. "that cannot be," rehearsing diverse times, "eighte 
of the clocke," "eighte of the clocke," "nay, nay," quoth he at 
last, "it cannot be eighte of the clocke: for by eighte of the 
clocke shall you lose your master : for my time draweth neare, 
that I must departe this world." With that one doctor Palmes 3 , 
a worshipful gentleman, being his chapleine and ghostly father, 
standing by, bad me secretly demand of him if he would be 
shriven, and so be in a readiness towardes God, whatsoever 
should chaunce. At whose desire I asked him that question, 
"What have ye to doe to aske me any suche question?" quoth 
he, and began to be very angry* with me for my presumption ; 
imtill at the laste master Doctor tooke my parte, and talked with 
him in Lattine, and so pacified him. 

At afternoone master Kingstone sent for me into his chamber, 
and at my comming there saide to me, " So it is, that the king 
hath sent me letters by master Yincent 4 , one of your old com- 
panions, who hath bin in trouble in the towre for money that my 
lord should have at his last departing from him, which cannot 
no we be found. Wherefore the king, at this Vincents request, 
for the declaration of his truthe, hath sent him hither with his 

3 Palmes.'] John Palmes? Dean of Alton, of which he was afterwards 
deprived when blind. See Cotton MS. Titus, B. i. fol. 75. 

4 Vincent.'] David Vincent, see p. 278. 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 267 

grace's letters, that I should examine my lord in that behalfe, 
and to have your counsell herein, to the intente my lorde may 
take it well and in good parte. This is the cause of my sending 
for you ; therefore I pray you of your counsell, what way is beste 
to be taken therein, for the true acquittall of this pore gentleman, 
master Vincent." " Sir," quoth I, "as touching that matter, 
after mine advice, ye shall in your owne person resorte unto him 
to visite him, and in communication breake the matter unto him. 
And if he will not tell the truthe, there be that can satisfy the 
kings minde therein. But in any wise, mention not, nor speake 
of my fellowe Vincent. And also I would advise you not to 
tracte the time with him ; for he is very sicke, and I feare me 
he will not live past a day." Then went master Kingstone to 
visit him ; and asked him first howe he did, and so forthe pro- 
ceeded in conversation, wherein master Kingstone demaunded of 
him of the sayd money saying, "that my lord of Northumber- 
lande hath founde a booke at Oawood that reporteth that you 
had but late fifteen hundred poundes ; and it will not be founde, 
not so much as one penny thereof: who hath made the king 
privy of the same. Wherefore the king hath written unto me, 
to demaund of you where it is become ; for it were pitty that it 
should be imbeseled from you bothe. Therefore I shall require 
you, in the kings name, to tell me the truthe ; to the intent that 
I may make just reporte unto his majestie of your aunswer 
therein." With that my lorde paused a little and saide, "sOh 
good Lorde ! how much doth it grieve me that the king should 
think in me any such deceite, wherein I should deceive him of 
any one penny that I have. Rather than I would, master King- 
stone, imbeazle, or deceive him of one penny, I would it were 
moulten, and put into my mouthe;" which wordes he spake twise 

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268 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

or thrice very vehemently. " I have nothing, ne never had (God 
be my judge), that I esteemed so much my owne, but that I 
tooke it ever to be the kings goods, having but the bare use 
thereof during my life ; and after my death to leave it wholly to 
him ; where he hath but prevented my intent and purpose. And 
for this money that ye demaund of me, I assure you that it is 
none of mine ; for I borrowed it of diverse of my friends to burye 
me, and to bestowe among my servantes, who have taken great 
paines about me, like true and faithful servantes. Notwith- 
standing if it be his pleasure to have this money from me, I must 
hold me contente. Yet I would most humbly beseeche his 
majestic, to see that satisfied, for the discharge of my conscience 
unto them that I owe it." " Who be they," quoth Mr. King- 
stone. " That shall I she we you," saide my lorde. " I borowed 
two hundred poundes thereof of sir John Allen 3 of London ; and 
an other two hundred poundes of sir Richard Gresham 6 of Lon- 
don; also other two hundred poundes of the master of the 
Savoie, also two hundred poundes of doctor Hickden 7 , deane of 
my colledge in Oxenforde ; and two hundred poundes of the 
treasurer of the churche of Yorke ; and also two hundred 
poundes of parson Ellis my chaplen ; and another one hundred 
poundes of a priest, that was then his stewarde, whose name I 
have forgotten ; to whome I trust the king will restore the same 
againe, for as much as it is none of mine." " Sir," quoth Mr. 
Kingstone, "there is no doubte in the king; whom ye need not 

5 Sir John Allen.] Sir John Allen was lord mayor of London in 1535. 

6 Sir Richard Gresham.'] On the Good Friday next following, Sir Richard 
Gresham wrote to Cromwell, to move the king for the payment of a debt 
due to him from the estate of the late lord cardinal. III. Ellis, ii. 204. In 
1537 he was lord mayor of London. He was father of Sir Thomas Gresham. 

7 Doctor Hickden.'] John Hygden, see note 6 , p. 229. 

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to mistrust in that, but when the king shall be advertised hereof, 
as I shall reporte, at my retourne, of your earnest request there- 
in, his grace will doe as shall become him. But sir, I pray you, 
where is this money V "Mr. Kingstone," quoth my lord, "I 
will not conceale it from the king ; but will declare it unto you, 
or I dye, by the grace of G-od. Take a little patience with me I 
beseeche you." " Well sir, then will I trouble you no more at 
this time, trusting that ye will tell me to morrowe." " Yea, that 
I will, Mr. Kingstone, for the money is safe enoughe, and in an 
honest man's keeping ; who will not kepe one penny thereof from 
the king." And then the abbot of Leicester sent for Mr. King- 
stone to supper ; who then departed for that nighte. 

Howbeyt my lord waxed very sicke, most likely to die that 
nighte, and often swooned, and as me thought drewe on faste to 
his ende, until it was foure of the clocke of the morning : at which 
time I spake to him, and asked him how he did. " Well," quoth 
he, " if I had any meate ; I pray you give me some." " Sir, 
there is none redy," saide I. " I wis," quoth he, " ye be the more 
to blame : for you should have alwaies meate for me in a readi- 
ness, to eate when my stomache serveth me ; therefore I pray you 
get me some ; for I intend this day to make me strong, to the 
intent that I may occupy myselfe in confession, and make me 
ready to God." " Then sir," quoth I, " I will call up the cookes 
to provide some meate for you ; and will also, if it be your plea- 
sure, call for Mr. Palmes, that ye may common with him, untill 
your meate be ready." " With a good will," quoth he. And 
therewith I went fast, and called up the cookes, bidding them to 
prepare some meate for my lorde. Then went I to Mr. Palmes, 
and tould him what case my lorde was in ; willing him to rise, 
and resorte to him with spede. And then I went to Mr. King- 

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270 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



stone, and gave him warning, that, as I thought, my lord would 
not live ; advising him that if he had any thing to say to him, he 
should make haste, for he was in great daunger. "In good faith," 
quoth Mr. Kingstone, "ye be to blame : for ye make him believe 
that he is sicker and in more daunger, than he is indeed." 
" Well sir," quoth I, "ye shall not say another day but I have 
given you warning, as I am bound to doe, and discharge myself 
therein. Therefore I pray you, whatsoever shall chaunce, let no 
negligence be ascribed to me herein ; for I assure you his life is 
very shorte. Do therefore as ye thinke beste." Yet nevertheless 
he rose, and made him ready, and came to him. After he had 
eaten of a cullace 8 made of chicken a spoonfull or two, at the laste 
quoth he, " Whereof was this cullace made V " Forsothe sir," 
quoth I, " of a chicken." " Why," quoth he, " it is fasting day," 
(being St. Andrews even.) " What though it be," quoth Dr. 
Palmes, "ye be excused by reason of your sickness?" "Yea," 
quoth he, "what though? I will eate no more." 

(Then was he in confession the space of an houre. And when 
he had ended his confession, master Kingstone came to him, and . 
bad him good morrowe ; for it was about six of the clocke, and 
asked him how he did. " Sir," quoth he, " I tarry but the 
pleasure of God, to render up my poore soule into his handes." 
" Not so sir," quoth master Kingstone, " with the grace of God, 
ye shall live, and do very well ; if ye will be of good cheere." 
" Nay in good soothe, master Kingstone, my disease is suche that 
I cannot live ; for I have had some experience in phisicke. Thus 
it is: I have a fluxe with a continuall feaver; the nature whereof 
is, that if there be no alteration of the same within eight daies, 
either must ensue excorrition of the entrailes, or frensy, or else 
8 Cullace ] A strong broth or gravy; from the French, coulis. 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 271 



present deathe ; and the best of these three, is deathe. And as I 
suppose, this is the eight day : and if ye see no alteration in me, 
there is no remedy, save that I may live a day or two after, but 
deathe which is the beste of these three, must folio we." " Sir, 11 
saide master Kingstone, " you be in such pensiveness, doubting 
that thing that in good faithe ye need not." " Well, well, master 
Kingstone," quoth my lord, "I see the matter maketh you much 
worse than you should be against me ; howe it is framed I knowe 
not. But if I had served God, as diligently as I have done the 
king, he would not have given me over in my grey heares 9 . But 
this is the just rewarde that I must receive, for my diligent paines 
and study, that I have had, to do him service ; not regarding my 
service to God, but only to satisfye his pleasure. I pray you 
have me most humbly commended unto his royall majestie ; and 
beseech him in my behalfe, to call to his princely remembrance 
all matters proceeding betweene him and me from the beginning 
of the world, and the progresse of the same ; and most especially 
in his waighty matter;" (meaning the matter betweene good 
queen Katherine and him,) " and then shall his graces conscience 
knowe, whether I have offended him, or no. He is a prince of 
royall courage, and hath a princely harte ; and rather then he 
will miss or want any parte of his will or pleasure, he will endanger 
the losse of the one halfe of his realme. For I assure you, I 
have often kneeled before him, the space sometimes of three 
houres, to persuade him from his will and appetite : but I could 



9 In my grey heares.~] 

" Had I but served my God with half the zeal 
I served my king, he would not in mine age 
Have left me naked to mine enemies." 

Henry VIII. act iv. sc. i. 

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272 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

never dissuade him therefrom. Therefore Mr. Kingstone, I 
warne you, if it chaunce you hereafter to be of his privy counsell, 
as for your wisdome ye are very mete, be well assured and 
advised, what ye put in his head, for ye shall never put it out 
againe. 

''And say furthermore, that I request his Grace, on God's 
name, that he have a vigilant eye to depresse this newe sorte of 
Lutherans l , that it doe not encrease, through his negligence, in 
suche a sorte, as he be at length compelled to put on harnies 
upon his backe to subdue them ; as the king of Boheme did, who 
had good game, to see his commons, infected with Wickliffes 
heresies, to spoile the spirituall men of his realme ; who at the 
last were constrained to call to the king and his nobles for succour 
against their frantic rage ; of whom they could get no helpe ne 
refuge, but they laughed and had good game, not regarding their 
duty. But when these erroneous heretics had subdued all the 
clerge, bothe churches, and monasteries, and all other spirituall 
things, then having nothing more to spoile, they caught such a 
courage of their former spoile, that then they disdained their 
prince with his nobles, and the heades and governours of the 
country, and began to spoile and slay them. Insomuch as the 
king and other noblemen were constrained to put harnies upon 

1 Newe sorte of Lutherans.'] In the year 1521, the cardinal, by virtue of 
his legatine authority, issued a mandate to all the bishops in the realm, to 
take the necessary means for calling in and destroying all books, printed or 
written, containing any of the errors of Martin Luther : and further directing 
processes to be instituted against all the possessors and favourers of such 
books, heresies, &c. The mandate contained also a list of forty-two errors of 
Luther. See Wilkins's Concilia, vol. iii. p. 690 — 693 ; and Strype's Eccle- 
siastical Memorials, vol. i. p. 36—40. For further proceedings of the same 
description in 1526, and again in 1.529, see Strype's Eccles. Mem. vol. i. p. 165. 

c — 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 273 

them, to resist the power of those traiterous heretickes, and to 
defend their lives ; who pitched a field against them ; in which 
field the conflict was so vehement and cruell on the rebells parte, 
that in fine they slewe the kinge, the nobles, and all the gentle- 
men of the realme, leaving not one person that bare the name of 
a nobleman or gentleman, or any person that bare rule in the 
common wealthe alive ; by meanes of which slaughter they have 
lived ever since without an heade ; being brought into such 
poverty and misery that they be abhorred of all Christian nations. 
Let this be to him an example to avoide the like daunger, I pray 
you. There is no trust to routes or to unlawfull assemblies in the 
common people; for when they be up, there is no mercy with 
them. Let him consider the story of king Richard the second, 
one of his progenitors, who lived in that same time also of Wick- 
linVs seditions and erroneous opinions. Did not the commons, I 
pray you, in his time arise against the nobles and head governors 
of this realme of Englande ; whereof some they apprehended, 
whom without mercy or misery they put to deathe % and did they 
not fall to spoiling and robbery, which was their onlie pretence to 
have all things in common ; and at the last, tooke the kings 
person perforce out of the tower of London, and carried him 
about the city presumptuously, making him obedient to their lewd 
proclamations \ Did not also the traiterous hereticke, Sir John 
Oldcastle, lord of Cobham, pitche a field with hereticks against 
king Henry the fifth, where the king himselfe was personally, and 
fought against them, to whom God gave the victory ? Alas ! if 
these be not plaine presidents, and sufficient persuasions to 
admonish a prince to be circumspect against the semblable mis- 
chiefe, then will God strike, and take from us our prudent rulers, 
and leave us in the hands of our enemies ; and then shall ensue 

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274 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



mischiefe upon mischiefe, inconvenience upon inconvenience, and 
barrenness and scarcity for lacke of good order in the common 
weale, to the utter mine and desolation of this realme, from the 
which Grod of his tendre mercy defend us ! 

"(Master Kingstone farewell ! I can no more saye, but I wish, 
ere I dye, all things to have good successe. My time draweth on 
faste. I may not tarry with you. And forget not what I have 
saide and charged you withall ; for when I am dead, ye shall per- 
adventure remembre my words better." And even with those 
wordes he began to draw his speche at lengthe, and his tongue to 
faile ; his eyes being presently set in his head, whose sight failed 
him. Then began we to put him in remembrance of Christ's 
passion ; and caused the yeomen of the guarde to stand bye 
secretly, to see him dye, and to be witnesses of his wordes at his 
departure ; who heard all his saide communication : and incon- 
tinent the clock struck eight, and then gave he up the ghost, and 
thus he departed this present life 2 . And calling to remembrance, 
howe he saide the day before, that at eight of the clocke we should 
lose our master, as it is before rehearsed, one of us looking upon 
another, supposing that either he knewe or prophesied of his 
departure, yet before his departure, we sent for the abbot of the 
house, to annoyle him 3 , whoe made all the spede he could, and 
came to his departure, and so sayd certaine praiers, before the 
breath was fully out of his body. 



2 He departed this present life.'] Tuesday, Nov. 29, 1530. Le Neve's Fasti, 
p. 310. 

3 To annoyle him.~\ To administer the extreme unction. " The fyfth sacra- 
ment is anoyntynge of seke men, the vvhiche oyle is halowed of the bysshop, 
and mynystred by preestes to them that ben of lawfull age, in grete peryll of 
dethe : in lyghtnes and abatynge of theyr sikenes, yf God wyll that they 

o . o 



Here is the ende and fall of pride and arrogancy of men, 
exalted by fortune to dignities : for I assure you, in his time, he 
was the haughtiest man in all his proceedings alive ; having more 
respect to the honor of his person than he had to his spirituall 
profession ; wherein should be shewed all meekness, humility, 
and charity; the discussing whereof any further I leave to 
divines. 

After that he was thus departed, Mr. Kingstone sent a post to 
the king, advertising him of the departure of the cardinall by one 
of the guarde, that sawe and hearde him die. And then Mr. 
Kingstone and the abbot calling me unto them went to consulta- 
tion of the order of his buriall. 

After diverse opinions, it was thought good that he should be 
buried the next day following ; for Mr. Kingstone would not tarry 
the returne of the poste. And it was further thought good that 
the mayor of Leicester and his brethren should be sent for, to 
see him personally dead, to avoide false rumours that might hap- 
pen, to say that he was still alive. Then was the mayor and his 
brethren sent for ; and in the meane time, the body was taken 
out of the bed where he lay deade ; who had upon him, next his 
body, a shirte of heare, besides his other shirte, which was of very 
fine holland ; which was not known to any of his servaunts being 
continually about him in his chambre, saving to his ghostly father; 
which shirtes were laide in a coffin made for him of bordes, 
having upon his dead corpse all such ornaments as he was pro- 
fessed in, when he was made bishop and archbishop, as miter, 
crosse, ring, and palle, with all other things due to his order and 
dignity. And lying thus all day in his coffin open and barefaced, 

lyve ; and in forgyvynge of theyr venyal synnes, and releasynge of theyr 
payne, yf they shal deye." — Festival, fol. 171. 

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276 • CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

every man that would might see him there deade without fayning, 
even as the mayor, his brethren, and other did. 

Lying thus untill foure or five of the clocke at nighte, he was 
carried downe into the churche with great solemnity by the abbot, 
and conducted with much torche lighte, and service songe, due for 
such funeralls. And being in the churche the corpse was set in 
our Lady Chappell, with diverse tapers of waxe, and diverse poore 
men sitting about the same, holding torches in their handes, who 
watched about the corps all night, while the canons sang Dirige 4 , 
and other devout oraisons. And about foure of the clocke in the 
morning Mr. Kingstone and we his servants came into the churche, 
and there tarried the executing of diverse ceremonies in such 
cases used, about the corpse of a bishop. Then went they to 
masse, at which masse the abbot and diverse other did offer. 

4 Dirige. .] The office of the dead : to which various names are given in the 
old books ; sometimes the Dirige, from the antiphon Dirige gressus meos : 
sometimes the Placebo, also from its first antiphon ; sometimes the Vigilim 
Mortuorum, or Officium pro defunctis: sometimes the Placebo and Dirge: 
sometimes the Dirge only. " The makyng of this service (that we call Dirige) 
some do ascribe to Saynt Isidore, and some to Saynt Gregorie : but whether 
of them it was, forceth not moche, for certayn it is, that all that is contained 
therein (the collectes excepte) may as well be applyed for the lyvyng as for 
the deade. Yet (as Platina wryteth) Pelagius byshop of Rome dyd fyrste 
ordeyne the commemoration, or prayenge for the deade. Whiche thinge 
(aftir the mynde of Isidore) was received as a tradition of the Apostles. 
Howe be it S. Ambrose affirmeth, that it was derived of an olde custome had 
amonge the Hebrewes, whiche used longe lamentation for the deade after 
theyr departyng, as they dyd for Jacob the space of xl dayes, and for Moyses 
xxx. But we that are under the newe lawe are taught of God by the mouthe 
of Saynte Paule his apostle, not to mourne or be sorye for them that be de- 
parted, in the faythe of Christe, but to rejoyse, as in them that reste in the 
sleepe of peace, (for so is it dayly remembered in the masse) untill they shall 
be called unto the laste judgement." Preface to the " Prymer," Nic. le 
Roux, 1538. Maskell, ii. 114. 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. , 277 

And that done, they went about to bury the corps in the middest 
of the sayd chappell, where was made for him a grave. And by 
that time he was buried, and all ceremonies ended, it was six of 
the clocke in the morning. 

Then went we and prepared ourselves to horseback, being 
Saint Andrews day the apostle, and so toke our journey to the 
courte ; riding that same day, being Wednesday, to Northampton ; 
and the next day to Dunstable ; and the next day to London ; 
where we tarried untill saint Nicholas even, and then we rode to 
Hampton courte, where the king and counsel lay, giving all our 
attendance upon them for our dispatche. 

And the next day, being Saint Nicholas day, I was sent for, 
being in Mr. Kingstone's chamber there in the courte, to come to 
the king ; whom I found shooting at the roundes in the parcke, 
on the backside of the garden. And perceiving him occupied in 
shoting, thought it not good to trouble him ; but leaning to a 
tree, attending there until he had made an ende of his disporte. 
And leaning there, being in a great study, what the matter should 
be that his grace should send for me, at the laste the king came 
sodenly behind me, and clapped me upon the shoulder ; and when 
I perceived him, I fell upon my knee. And he, calling me by 
name, sayd unto me, " I will," quoth he, " make an ende of my 
game, and then will I talk with you :" and so departed to the 
marke where he had shot his arrowe. And when he came there 
they were meeting of the shott that lay upon the game, which 
was ended that shote. 

Then delivered the king his bowe unto the yeoman of his 
bowes, and went his waies inwarde ; whom I followed ; howbeit 
he called for Sir John Gage, then his vice chamberlaine, with 
whome he talked, untill he came to the posterne gate of his 

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278 



CARDINAL WOLSEY. 



garden ; the which being open against his comying, he entered ; 
and then Was the gate shute after him, which caused me to goe 
my waies. 

And ere ever I was past halfe a paire of butt lengths, the gate 
opened againe, and Mr. Norris called me againe, commanding me 
to come unto the kinge, who stoode behinde the doore in a night 
gowne of russet velvet, furred with sables ; before whome I 
kneled downe, being there with him all alone the space of an 
houre or more, during which season he examined me of diverse 
weighty matters, concerning my lord cardinall, wishing rather 
than twenty thousand pounds that he had lived. He examined 
me of the fifteen hundred poundes, which Mr. Kingstone moved 
to my lord before his deathe, as I have before rehersed. " Sir," 
sayd I, "I thinke that I can tell your Grace partly where it is, 
and who hathe it." " Yea, can you V quoth the king ; " then I 
pray you tell me, and you shall doe much pleasure, and it shall 
not be unrewarded." " Sir," sayd I, "if it please your high- 
ness, after the departure of David Vincent from my lord at 
Scroby, who had the custody thereof, leaving the same with my 
lord- in diverse baggs, he delivered the same unto a certaine 
priest safely to kepe to his use." " Is this true ?" quoth the 
king. " Yea, sir," quoth I, " without all' doubt. The priest shall 
not be able to deny it in my presence, for I was at the delivery 
thereof ; who hath gotten diverse other rich ornaments into his 
hands, the which be not rehersed or registered in any of my lords 
books of inventory, or other writings, whereby any man is able to 
charge him therewith, but only I." " Well then," quoth the 
king, " let me alone, and kepe this geare secrete betweene your- 
selfe and me, and let no man knowe thereof ; for if I heare any 



more of it, then I knowe by whom it came out. 



Howbeit," 



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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 279 

quoth he, " three may kepe counsell, if two be awaye ; and if I 
knewe that my cap were privy of my counsell, I would cast it in 
the fire and burne it. And for your truthe and honesty ye shall 
be our servant, and be in the same rome with us, wherein you \ 
were with your old master. Therefore goe your waies unto Sir 
John Gage our vice chamberlain, to whom I have spoken already 
to give you your oathe, and to admit you our servaunt in the 
sayd roome ; and then goe to my lord of Norfolke, and he shall 
pay you your whole yeares wages, which is ten poundes, is it 
not so V quoth the king. " Yea, forsoothe," quoth I, " and I am 
behinde for three quarters of a yeare of the same wages." " That 
is true," quoth the king, " therefore ye shall have your whole 
yeares wages, with our rewarde delivered you by the duke of 
Norfolke ;" promising me furthermore, to be my singular good 
lord, whensoever occasion should serve. And thus I departed 
from the kinge. 

And as I went to Mr. Gage to receive mine othe, I happened 
to meete with Mr. Kingstone comming from the counsell, who 
commaunded me in their name to goe straighte unto them, for by 
him they had sent for me, " And in any wise take good hede," 
quoth he, " what ye say : for ye shall be examined of certaine 
wordes spoken by my lord your master at his departure, the which 
I knowe well enoughe ; and if I tell them the truthe," quoth he, 
" what he said, I shall undoe myselfe ; for in any wise they may 
not heare of it : therefore be circumspect what aunswer ye make 
to their demaundes." " Why," quoth I, " how have you done 
therein yourselfe V " Mary," quoth he, " I have utterly denied 
that I heard any such wordes ; and he that opened the same first 
is fled for feare ;" which was the yeomen of the guarde that rode 
in post to the king from Leycester. " Therefore goe your waies," 

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280 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

quoth he, " Grod send you good spede ; and when you have done, 
come to me into the chamber of presence, where I will tarry to 
see howe you speede, and to knowe how ye have done with the 
king." 

Thus I departed and went directly to the counsell chamber 
doore ; and as sone as I was come I was called in amongst them. 
And being there, my lord of Norfolke first spake, and bad me 
welcome to the courte, and saide, " My lordes, this gentleman 
hath served the cardinall his master like an honest man ; there- 
fore I doubt not but of such questions as ye shall demaund of 
him, he will make a just and a true aunswer, I dare be his surety. 
Howe say you sir?" quoth he to me, "it is reported, that your 
master spake such wordes and such even at his departure from 
his life ; the truthe whereof I doubt not but you knowe ; and as 
you knowe, I pray you reporte ; and feare for no man. It shall 
not neede to sweare you, therefore go to, how say you, is this 
true that is reported V " Forsoothe my lord," quoth I, "I was 
so diligent about him, attending the preservation of his life, that 
I marked not every worde that he spake ; and as for my parte, 
I have heard him talke many idle wordes, as men do in such 
extremities, the which I do not no we remember. If it please 
you to call Mr. Kingstone before your lordshippes, he will not let 
to tell you the truthe." " Mary so have we done already," quoth 
they, " who hath bin here before us, and hath denied that ever 
your master spake any such wordes, at the time of his deathe, or 
at any time before." " Forsoothe my lordes," quoth I, " then I 
can say no more ; for if he heard them not, I could not heare 
them : for he heard as much as I, and I as much as he. There- 
fore my lordes, it were folly to say a thing of untruthe, which I 
am not able to justify." " Loe !" quoth my lord of Norfolke. 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 281 



" I tould you before, that he was a true man, and would tell the 
truthe. Goe your waies : ye be discharged," quoth he, "and 
come to my chambre sone, for I must talke with you." 

I most humbly thanked them, and so departed ; and went into 
the chamber of presence to mete with Mr. Kingstone, whom I 
found standing in communication with an auncient gentleman, 
one Mr. Radcliffe, gentleman usher of the kings privy chamber. 
And at my comming, Mr. Kingstone demaunded of me, if 
I had bin with the counsell ; and what aunswer I made them. 
I aunswered, that I had satisfied their lordshippes mindes 
with mine aunswers ; and tould him even as I have rehersed 
before. And then he asked me, how I sped with the king ; and 
I tould him all our communications ; and of his Graces bene- 
volence and princely liberality towards me ; and howe he com- 
maunded me to goe to my lord of Norfolke. And even as we 
were speaking of my lord of Norfolke, he came out from the 
counsell chamber, into the chamber of presence ; and as sone as 
he espied me, he came unto the windowe, where I stoode with 
Mr. Kingstone and Mr. Radcliffe ; to whome I declared the 
kings pleasure. And then these two gentlemen made interces- 
sion unto him to be good lord unto me. " Nay," quoth my lord 
of Norfolke, " I will be better to him than he weneth ; for if I 
could have spoken to him, or ever he came to the king, I would 
have had him to my service ; and (the king excepted) he should 
have done no man service in all Englande but me. And loke," 
quoth he, " what I may doe for you, I will doe it with all my 
harte." "Sir then my desire is, that it would please your 
grace," quoth I, "to move the kinge to be so much good lord as 
to give me one of the cartes and horses that brought up my stuffe 
with my lordes, (which is nowe in the Towre) to carry it home 

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282 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

into my country." " Yea mary will I, 11 quoth he and retourned 
into the kinge; for whom I tarried still with Mr. Kingstone. 
" And," quoth Mr. Ratcliffe, " I will goe in, and helpe my lord of 
Norfolke in your suite to the king." And incontinent my lord 
came forthe, and tould me, that the king was my singular good 
and gracious lord ; and had given me six of the beste horses I 
could chose among all my lordes carte horses, and a carte to 
carry my stuffe, and five markes for the costes homewardes ; and 
hath commanded me," quoth he, " to deliver you ten poundes for 
your wages, being behinde ; and twenty poundes for a rewarde ;" 
and commaunded me to call Mr. Secretary unto him, to make a 
warrant for all these things. Then was it tould him, that Mr. 
Secretary was gone to Hamworthe for that nighte. Then com- 
maunded he one of the messengers of the chambre to ride to him 
in all haste for those warrants ; and also willed me to mete with 
him the next day at London ; and there I should receive both 
my money and my stuffe, with the horses and carte, that the 
king promised me : and so I did ; of whom I received all those 
things, and then I retourned home into the country with the 
same. And thus ended 5 the life of the right triumphant car- 
dinall of England, on whose soule Jesus have mercy ! Amen. 

5 And thus ended.'] I subjoin the cardinal's character, as given by Lord 
Herbert, in his Life and Reign of King Henry VIII. p. 342. 

" And thus concluded that great cardinal : a man in whom ability of parts 
and industry were equally eminent ; though, for being employed wholly in 
ambitious ways, they became dangerous instruments of power, in active and 
mutable times. By these arts yet he found means to govern not onely the 
chief affairs of this kingdom, but of Europe ; there being no potentate, which, 
in his turn, did not seek to him : And as this procured him divers pensions, 
so, when he acquainted the king therewith, his manner was so cunningly to 
disoblige that prince who did fee him last, as he made way thereby oftentimes 
to receive as much on the other side. But not of secular princes alone, but 

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CARDINAL W0L3EY. 283 



Who liste to reade and consider with a cleare eye this history, 
may behold the mutability of vaine honors, and brittle assurance 

even of the pope and clergy of Rome, he was no little courted ; of which 
therefore he made especial use, while he drew them to second him on most 
occasions. His birth being otherwise so obscure and mean, as no man had 
ever stood so single : for which reason also his chief endeavour was not to 
displease any great person ; which yet could not secure him. For as all things 
passed through his hands, so they who failed in their suits generally hated 
him : all which, though it did but exasperate his ill nature, yet this good 
resultance followed, that it made him take the more care to be just ; whereof 
also he obtained the reputation in his publick hearing of causes : for as he 
loved no body, so his reason carried him. And thus he was an useful minister 
of his king, in all points, where there was no question of deserting the Roman 
church ; of which (at what price soever) I finde he was a zealous servant ; 
as hoping thereby to aspire to the papacy, whereof (as the factious times then 
were) he seemed more capable than any, had he not so immoderately affected 
it. Whereby also it was not hard to judge of his inclinations ; that prince, 
who was ablest to help him to this dignity, being ever preferred by him ; 
which therefore was the ordinary baite, by which the emperour and the 
French king, one after the other did catch him. And, upon these terms, he 
doubted not to convey vast treasures out of this kingdome, especially unto 
Rome, where he had not a few cardinals at his devotion ; by whose help, 
though he could not attain that supreme dignity he so passionately desired, 
yet he prevailed himself so much of their favour, as he got a kinde of abso- 
lute power in spiritual matters at Rome : wherewith again he so served the 
king's turn, as it made him think the less of using his own authority. One 
error seemed common to both, Which was, that such a multiplicity of offices 
and places were invested in him. For as it drew much envy upon the car- 
dinal in particular, so it derogated no little from the regal authority, while 
one man alone seemed to exhaust all : since it becometh princes to do like 
good husbandmen, when they sow their grounds ; which is, to scatter, and 
not to throw all in one place. He was no great dissembler for so qualified a 
person; as ordering his businesses (for the most part) so cautiously, as he 
got more by keeping his word than by breaking it. As for his learning 
(which was far from exact), it consisted chiefly in the subtilties of the Thom- 
ists, wherewith the king and himself did more often weary than satisfie each 
other. His stile, in missives, was rather copious than eloquent, yet ever 
tending to the point. Briefly, if it be true (as Polydore observes) that no 

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284 CARDINAL WOLSEY. 

of aboundaunce ; the uncertainety of dignities, the flattering of 
feigned friends, and the fickle favor of worldly princes. Whereof 
this lord cardinall hath felt and tasted bothe of the sweete and 
soure in each degree ; as fleeting from honnors, losing of riches, 
deposed from dignities, forsaken of friends, and the mutability 
of princes favor; of all which things, he had in this world the 
full felicity, as long as fortune smiled upon him : but wdien she 
began to frowne, how sone was he deprived of all these mundane 
joyes, and vaine pleasures ! That which in twenty yeares with 

man ever did rise with fewer virtues, it is true that few that ever fell from so 
high a place had lesser crimes objected against him : though yet Polydore 
(for being at his first coming into England committed to prison by him, as 
we have said) may be suspected as a partial author. So that in all probability 
he might have subsisted longer, if either his pride and immense wealth had 
not made him obnoxious, and suspected to the king, or that other than 
women had opposed him : who, as they are vigilant and close enemies, so for 
the most part they carry their businesses in that manner, as they leave fewer 
advantages against themselves than men do. In conclusion, as I cannot 
assent to those who thought him happy for enjoying the untimely compassion 
of the people a little before his end, so I cannot but account it a principal 
felicity, that during his favour with the king, all things succeeded better than 
afterwards : though yet it may be doubted whether the impressions he gave 
did not occasion divers irregularities which were observed to follow. He 
died Nov. 29, 1529." 

We may add here a few additional particulars from Lloyd's Slate Worthies. 

" He had petty projects ; namely, that children should follow their fathers' 
profession, saying that he observed, that the father's eminency in any act 
begat in the child a propension to the same ; and where two or three suc- 
cessive- generations happily insist in the steps one of another, they raise an 
art to great perfection. He also liked well the prudence of our parliaments, 
in permitting the eldest sons of barons to be present at their consultations, to 
fit them by degrees for the person they are to sustain." P. 14, edit. 1670. 

" One thing he advised young men to take care of in their public deliveries ; 
namely, that they should rather proceed, though more inaccurately, than stop 
sensibly : few being able to discern the failure of a continued speech, when 
all understand the mischance of a gross silence." P. 22. 

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CARDINAL WOLSEY. 285 

great travaile and study he obtained, was in one yeare and lesse, 
with great care and sorrowe lost and consumed.— 0, madness ! 
O, fond desire ! 0, foolish hope ! 0, greedy desire of vaine 
honnors, dignities, and riches ! Oh what unconstant hope and 
trust is it in the false fayned countenaunce and promise of 
fortune ! Wherefore the prophet saith full well, Thesaurizat, et 
ignorat cui congregabit ea. Who is certaine that he shall leave 
his riches which he hath gathered in this world, unto them whom 
he hath purposed? The wise man saith, That an other, whom 
peradventure he hated in his life, shall spende it out, and con- 
sume it. 



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